How did the English language get to be used in Nigeria?
The English Language was introduced in Nigeria during the colonial era, which lasted from the late 1800s until 1960. The British colonisation process brought with it a number of changes to Nigerian society, including the imposition of the English language as the country’s official language. Before the arrival of the British, there were over 250 languages spoken in Nigeria. However, English became the official language of Nigeria as it was seen as the most practical language for communication across the diverse population.
Over time, English gained widespread use and acceptance due to its role as the language of education, government, and business, becoming a lingua franca among the various ethnic groups.