Attitudes Regarding the Use of Nigerian Pidgin English among Nigerian Students at Coventry University

Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE) is a widely spoken language in Nigeria and is used by many Nigerian students in educational institutions. It evolved into a predominant means of communication among Nigerians, serving as the most extensively used language of interaction across diverse ethnic groups that lack a shared linguistic background. This study examines the use, perception, and recognition of NPE by Nigerian students at Coventry University (CU) in the UK. To determine the perspectives and attitudes of selected students regarding the language, an online questionnaire and a focus group interview were administered. The findings revealed that, in general, participants held a negative attitude towards Nigerian Pidgin English. In conclusion, prejudices against NPE continue to exist and date back to the colonial era, when the language was perceived as a low and corrupted language (Akande & Salami 2010).