EXPLORING THE SUPRASEGMENTAL FEATURES OF NIGERIAN ENGLISH: A PHONOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

English in Nigeria is predominantly a second language, having been introduced during colonial rule and subsequently adopted through the educational system. As a result, Nigerian English (NE) is categorized as English as a Second Language (ESL). It is nativized through the influence of indigenous languages, which significantly shapes its unique features, especially in terms of pronunciation. This paper focuses on the suprasegmental features of Nigerian English, particularly stress assignment, which plays a crucial role in distinguishing meaning and fluency in speech. While vowels and consonants form the basic segments of speech, suprasegmental features like stress, pitch, and intonation overlay these segments, impacting the rhythm and melody of spoken language. In Nigerian English, stress assignment and variations in pitch are notably influenced by the phonological patterns of the speaker’s first language. This study examines how educated Nigerian speakers apply stress and intonation patterns and identifies areas where non-native speakers of English in Nigeria still struggle with proper stress placement and intonation. These difficulties are expected, considering that English is typically introduced later in life and is not the first language for the majority of Nigerians. The findings suggest that while Nigerian speakers may exhibit significant proficiency in English, achieving native-like fluency, especially in the areas of stress and intonation, remains a challenge. This paper underscores the importance of addressing suprasegmental features in language instruction to improve spoken English proficiency among Nigerians