Prominent Igbo leaders, academics, and stakeholders have raised an alarm on the declining use of the Igbo language, calling for an immediate cultural transition to save the mother tongue from predicted extinction by 2050.
The call was made during the 2026 International Mother Tongue Day celebration organised by the Igbo Efula group in Enugu.
The event, which drew participants from various sectors, featured Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, as the keynote speaker.
Senator Azuta-Mbata, represented by Nze Uche Damian, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Enugu State Chapter, described the Igbo language as the “soul and essence” of the people. He noted that while the language carries the history and traditions of generations, it currently faces a crisis of identity.
“To our parents, I say: teach your children Igbo and instill in them a love for our culture.
“Without our language, we lose a part of ourselves. We must speak it, teach it, and pass it on,” the President General stated.
Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Obiamaka Eriobuna Opara, expressed disappointment over the preference for English and Pidgin in Igbo homes.
She cited the United Nations’ projection that the language could vanish by 2050 if the current trend continues.
“Many see speaking Igbo as derogatory, which is self-defeating,” the Abia State University lecturer remarked. She admitted that even as an academic, the “generational gap” remains a challenge, noting that many grandchildren of fluent speakers no longer understand the language.
In a legislative response, Hon. Osita Eze, representing Oji River State Constituency, revealed that the House of Assembly is considering motions to encourage the use of the Igbo language in official government proceedings and educational institutions.
“Any tribe that loses its mother tongue is lost forever,” Eze warned.
He advocated for the mandatory use of Igbo as a medium of instruction in kindergarten and primary schools to ensure foundational fluency.
The President of Igbo Efula, Mazi Bismarck Oji, explained that the decision to involve 12 secondary schools in the celebration was strategic. “Children are the future of languages. Our goal is the propagation of Igbo culture through music, dance, and oral competitions,” he said.
A highlight of the event was the victory of Queen’s School Enugu in the language and cultural competition. Interestingly, the top prize was clinched by Etidong Treasure Bassey, an Efik student who demonstrated exceptional proficiency in the Igbo language.
“Though I am not Igbo, I take delight in writing and speaking the language,” Bassey said. “I hope to become an Igbo teacher to encourage other young people to internalize the culture.” Bassey said.
The event concluded with a collective call for the “Igbo Efula” (Igbo Shall Not Be Lost) mantra to be moved from rhetoric into daily domestic and official practice.