Ibibio

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A language of Nigeria

ISO 639-3

ibb

Alternate Names

Ibibyo

Autonym

Ibibio

User Population

10,700,000 in Nigeria, all users. L1 users: 6,200,000 in Nigeria (2020). L2 users: 4,500,000 (2013 SIL). Total users in all countries: 10,759,000 (as L1: 6,259,000; as L2: 4,500,000).

Location

Abia state: Arochukwa and Ukwa East LGAs; Akwa Ibom state: Etinan, Ikono, Ikot Abasi, Itu, Nsit Ikpe, Mkpat Enin, Nsit-Ubium, Onna, Uruan, and Uyo LGAs; Rivers state: Opobo-Nkoro and Oyigbo LGAs; possibly Cross River state.

Language Maps

Nigeria, Map 9

Nigeria, Map 10

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto language of provincial identity in Akwa Ibom, Abia, and Rivers states; possibly in Cross River state, used in education, various media. Ibibio is the LWC of Akwa Ibom state.

Classification

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Cross River, Delta Cross, Lower Cross, Obolo, Efik

Dialects

Enyong, Central Ibibio, Itak, Nsit. Several dialects.

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Used in university courses. Also use Efik [efi], decreasingly, as a literary language. Used as L2 by Ekit [eke], Ibino [ibn], Iko [iki], Khana [ogo], Obolo [ann], Oro [orx].

Language Development

Taught as subject in some primary schools. Literature. Radio. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2020.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Ibibio

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.