Ejiofor Sounds Alarm Over Possible Extinction of Igbo Language, Calls for Urgent Action at Eri Golden Jubilee

By Uzo Ugwunze

Human rights lawyer and social critic, Sir Ifeanyichukwu Ejiofor, Esq., has raised the alarm over the declining use of the Igbo language, warning that the indigenous language could face extinction within the next 40 to 50 years if urgent measures are not taken to reverse the trend.

Ejiofor made the passionate appeal following the celebration of 50 years on the ancestral throne by His Royal Majesty, Eze Chukwuemeka Eri, Eze Digboo, Ezeora 34th and Aka Ji Ovo Igbo, during a historic Golden Jubilee ceremony at the Obu-Gad Palace, Enugwu Aguleri, the ancestral seat of the Eri Kingdom.

In an article titled, ’50 Years on the Throne of Eze Chukwuemeka Eri: A Golden Jubilee of Ancestral Heritage, and the 2026 World Eri Festival – Time to Confront the Impending Extinction of the Igbo Language!’, the legal practitioner called on Igbo leaders, traditional institutions, parents, schools and religious organisations to take deliberate steps towards preserving the language.

Describing the Golden Jubilee as a moment of profound cultural pride and ancestral reflection, Ejiofor said he considered it a rare privilege to witness the historic milestone and participate in prayers in honour of the forefathers of the Eri Kingdom.

He noted that beyond the celebrations, the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the shared ancestry and historical connections among Igbo communities and other related ancestral groups, including Igbanke in present-day Edo State and communities within the Igala area.

While praying for God’s continued protection, good health, wisdom and longevity for the royal father, Ejiofor said the growing decline of the Igbo language remained one of the most troubling issues raised during discussions at the celebration.

He warned that predictions that Igbo could become endangered or face extinction within the next four to five decades should no longer be treated as mere academic speculation.

According to him, the declining transmission of the language to younger generations, particularly within family settings, presents a serious threat to its continued survival.

‘What greater evidence of our growing linguistic disconnect?’

To illustrate his concerns, Ejiofor recalled watching a South-East governor address a predominantly Igbo-speaking audience during an election campaign entirely in English.

He said the expressions and body language of some members of the audience suggested that they were struggling to follow the sophisticated English used by their political leader.

Ejiofor described the experience as particularly revealing, questioning why an elected leader would fail to communicate with an overwhelmingly indigenous-language-speaking audience in its mother tongue.

He asked: “What greater evidence of our growing linguistic disconnect could there be than a situation in which a leader cannot, or chooses not to, communicate with his predominantly indigenous-language-speaking audience in their mother tongue?”

The lawyer contrasted the situation with political engagements in parts of Northern Nigeria, where political aspirants and governors frequently communicate with their audiences in Hausa, including during major campaigns and public gatherings.

He clarified that his position was not an argument against English, which remains important for national and international communication, but rather a call for greater cultural consciousness and deliberate efforts to preserve indigenous identity.

Calls on Igbo leaders, parents to rescue the language

Ejiofor challenged Ndi Igbo to reconsider the contradiction between celebrating their ancestral heritage through elaborate festivals and traditional ceremonies while allowing the language that defines and transmits that heritage to gradually disappear.

“My question to Ndi Igbo is simple but fundamental: How long shall we continue to celebrate our ancestry, organise elaborate cultural festivals, honour our traditional institutions and proclaim our rich heritage, while allowing the very language that gives expression to our identity to gradually disappear?” he asked.

He further emphasised that language is an indispensable vessel for transmitting a people’s history, values, traditions and collective consciousness.

Citing the Igbo proverb, “Onye chefuo ebe o si, amaghi ebe o na-aga” (Whoever forgets where he comes from may lose direction about where he is going), Ejiofor stressed that abandoning the mother tongue could gradually weaken the people’s connection to their cultural roots.

He therefore called on traditional rulers, political leaders, religious institutions, schools and parents to take practical steps towards reversing the trend.

Among the measures he advocated are speaking Igbo to children at home, promoting its use in schools, encouraging its adoption at public functions and integrating the language into contemporary education, science, technology, governance and commerce.

According to him, the 2026 World Eri Festival and the Golden Jubilee celebration of Eze Chukwuemeka Eri should serve as more than occasions for cultural festivities. They should become a rallying point for renewed commitment to the preservation of Igbo identity and heritage.

Ejiofor warned that the death of a language goes beyond the loss of words, as it threatens the cultural memory, historical experiences and values passed from one generation to another.

He concluded with an urgent appeal to the Igbo people:

“Let us not wait until the language is lost before we begin to mourn its disappearance. The time to rescue Igbo is NOW.”

His message presents a compelling challenge to Ndi Igbo: preserving the language must move beyond speeches, cultural festivals and expressions of nostalgia to become a daily responsibility shared by every generation.
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