FOSTERING NATIONAL UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH A UNIFIED NIGERIAN LANGUAGE
Abstract: Nigeria is a nation characterized by linguistic diversity, however, this poses a challenge of uniting her people to foster national development. This article explores the concept of creating a unified Nigerian language, "Nigerian," by dividing the total number of words in the English Oxford dictionary by the total number of indigenous Nigerian languages, resulting in a Language Factor. By examining the potential of "Nigerian" as the lingua franca, its role in fostering intermarriages, national integration, and cohesion, and its implications for Nigeria's economy, this article presents a comprehensive plan for its implementation. This article also outlines an estimated timeline and methodology for introducing "Nigerian" in a manner that is efficient, acceptable to all Nigerians, and conducive to the nation's economic growth. The Birth of a New Language INTRODUCTION Nigeria, with its diverse ethnic groups and languages, stands as a test