Language as a tool for unification and socio-economic development in Nigeria

Language is of great essence to man. It is the means through which humans express their thoughts, exchange phatic communion, develop themselves and conquer their environments. Nigeria is one multilingual country in which the role of language as a unifying factor cannot be denied. Every citizen of Nigeria belongs to a particular ethno-linguistic family by means of which social relationships and affinities are shared among people of the same sociocultural and sociolinguistic lineage. The current spate of violent extremism in parts of the country has led to debates on the unity and socio-economic development of the country which cannot thrive in the face of uncertainties and violent upheavals. Thus, this paper discussed the role of language in the unification and socio-economic development in Nigeria. Ideas and opinions were obtained from secondary sources and analysed qualitatively. As a way forward, the paper recommended the adoption of the Hausa language for the purposes of unification and socio-economic development in Nigeria.