Integrating Indigenous Language to Promote Unity in Diversity among Broadcast Media in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract: This paper interrogates the status of indigenous language in promoting unity in diversity among broadcast media in Nigeria. The paper is exploratory in nature, as it utilises the descriptive research method whereby relevant literature, documents and records were consulted and analysed based on the existing literature. The paper is predominantly based on information derived from the qualitative data using secondary sources, such as relevant texts, journals, official publications, historical documents and the Internet, which served as tangible sources of insight into the analysis. The method help findings in the works available, check the consistency of such findings, evaluates such findings with other findings. Based on the findings, English is the dominant language of use followed by the major national languages of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. English is nationally dominant, but the three major languages are regionally applied with Hausa commanding higher airtime across majority of the states in Northern part of Nigeria; Igbo in the Southeast and Yoruba ranks next to English in the Southwest. In the South-south, Pidgin and some indigenous languages rank next to English. Instead of a rise in indigenous language use in broadcasting in the country, the situation appears to be worsening because most broadcasters find it economically unattractive and financially costly to run news and programs in the indigenous languages. The study concludes that there is a weakness in the use of indigenous language among broadcast media in Nigeria. The use of indigenous language among broadcast media has been ignored in the communication industry. The study concludes that there is a need for language policy, because in the domain of mass communication today, the use of indigenous language is not properly addressed.