By Our Reporter
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; a lecturer at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Dr. Olabode Abimbola; a former Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade; traditional rulers and other stakeholders on Saturday called for renewed efforts toward the preservation and promotion of the Yoruba language and culture.
They made the call at the 2026 United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Languages celebration organised by the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), which took place at Oodua House, 14B Ezekiel Street, off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Yoruba generalissimo, in his welcome address, said that the Yoruba language embodies the identity, history and collective wisdom of the Yoruba people, noting through proverbs, oral literature, music and rituals, the language encapsulates the worldview of the Yoruba people and serves as a living archive of their cultural values.
Iba Adams said the gathering was a shared commitment to celebrate, preserve and promote the invaluable indigenous languages that form the bedrock of cultural identity and heritage across the globe, but quickly pointed out that it had become the tradition Olokun Festival Foundation to spotlight on the Yoruba language, describing it as a vibrant and ancient tongue spoken by millions in Nigeria and the diaspora.
He said the theme of this year’s celebration seeks to promote awareness and appreciation of the Yoruba language and its rich cultural heritage, while highlighting the importance of preserving our mother tongues.
“Today, we unite in a shared commitment to celebrate, preserve and promote the invaluable indigenous languages that form the bedrock of cultural identity and heritage across the globe,” he said.
“As has become our tradition at the Olokun Festival Foundation, we shine the spotlight on the Yoruba language, a vibrant and ancient tongue spoken by millions in Nigeria and the diaspora.
“The theme of this year’s celebration seeks to promote awareness and appreciation of the Yoruba language and its rich cultural heritage, while highlighting the importance of preserving our mother tongues," he said.
Adams described Yoruba language not merely as a means of communication, but as a repository of history, philosophy, art and tradition, further noting that it conveys profound insights into life, morality and social conduct.
“At its core, the Yoruba language conveys profound insights into life, morality and social conduct. It transmits ancestral knowledge and societal norms from one generation to the next,” he said.
Speaking further, Iba Adams stressed that the cultural significance of Yoruba language extends beyond language alone, noting that it is the medium through which traditional ceremonies are performed, folklore is narrated and communal bonds are strengthened.
He, however, acknowledged that Yoruba language faces serious challenges in the modern era, sadly noting that Globalisation, urbanisation and the dominance of foreign languages in education and media had contributed to a decline in the everyday use of the language, especially among younger generations
“Globalisation, urbanisation and the dominance of foreign languages in education and media have contributed to a decline in the everyday use of Yoruba, especially among younger generations.
“This erosion threatens the survival of the language and the cultural practices it supports," he said.
The Yoruba generalissimo, therefore, urged individuals, organisations and government agencies to intensify efforts to preserve indigenous languages.
"But I urge more individuals, organizations and government agencies to join us in the crusade of preserving our mother tongue.
"On the part of government, policies that will further incorporate indigenous languages into school curricula and public life will foster greater appreciation and use of Yoruba language.
"The Yoruba language is a vital vessel of cultural heritage that enriches the identity and social fabric of its people. Protecting and promoting this mother tongue is essential in maintaining the rich traditions and values that define the Yoruba people.
"Therefore, collective action from individuals, communities and government institutions will ensure that the Yoruba language continues to thrive for generations to come," he said.
Iba Adams, while further emphasising that preserving Yoruba is essential to sustaining cultural diversity and social cohesion, argued that indigenous languages carry unique knowledge systems and values that contribute to humanity’s intellectual wealth, warning that their loss would mean the disappearance of irreplaceable cultural treasures.
“Indigenous languages carry unique knowledge systems and values that contribute to humanity’s intellectual wealth. Their loss would mean the disappearance of irreplaceable cultural treasures.
“Let us encourage the integration of Yoruba language studies in schools, leverage digital technologies to broaden access, and celebrate cultural expressions that keep the language vibrant,” he added.
Chairperson of the Occasion, Dr. (Mrs) Foluso Anna Onaolapo, in her speech, noted that in the history of evolution of man, villages, towns and communities evolved over time with peculiar method of communications using symbols, signs and some devices (aroko) and words.
Dr. Onaolapo, a former Chief Lecturer, Department of History, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (LASUED) and Member, Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), said indigenous languages of a people is the identity, history, culture and tradition, adding: "It is in-born, in-built, and particularly demonstrated what is taught in schools."
She, however, identified three strategies to ensure its promotion and retention, saying these can be achieved through education by organizing inter - school competitions among schools, giving out regional awards for excellence in achievements in indigenous language among the Yorubas and motivating teachers of indigenous language to continue to deliver on their duties.
"People should be proud of their culture, the use of 'aroko' and other signs and symbols should be encouraged especially among the Yoruba.
"This will go a long way in promoting indigenous language. It is our culture. It should be encouraged," she said.
The Guest Lecturer, Dr. Olabode Abimbola, urged parents to teach their children Yoruba language and prioritise it alongside foreign languages.
"A person cannot be complete without their language and tradition. If we do not value our language, we cannot attain greater heights," he said.
Dr. Abimbola criticised the growing trend of parents discouraging their children from speaking Yoruba in favour of English, quickly noting that knowledge of the Yoruba language enhances one’s ability to speak English fluently.
“Knowledge of the Yoruba language enhances one’s ability to speak English fluently. My children attend private schools, yet I encourage them to speak Yoruba. They are fluent in both languages,” he said.
The Guest Lecturer, however, revealed that efforts were ongoing to develop Yoruba dictionaries and promote language engineering for preservation.
He commended the Lagos State Government for making Yoruba compulsory in schools from primary to tertiary levels, noting that LASU requires all first-year students to study Yoruba language, arts and culture.
"Our Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibilola Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello, has supported the publication of books on the language. We must promote Yoruba from our homes. Our children must know their panegyrics and family praises," he said.
Abimbola also stressed that indigenous religion in Yorubaland predates Christianity and Islam, saying that it should not be dismissed as fetish, but understood within its cultural and historical context.
Also speaking, a former Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Agunbiade, in his remarks, warned against trivialising Yoruba culture, hinting even as a lawyer and former lawmaker, he still desired to obtain a degree in Yoruba language from LASU.
"Yoruba proverbs and elders are deeply philosophical. Even as a lawyer and lawmaker, I still desire to obtain a degree in Yoruba language from LASU," he said.
Agunbiade, while noting that all his children passed Yoruba in WASSCE and speak it fluently, including one residing abroad, quickly recalled that Yoruba language is used every Thursday as medium of communication, even as he suggested that there was need to put in place Yoruba quiz competitions among schools in the state.
Besides, the former lawmaker called for stronger collaboration between cultural advocates and government to ensure the survival of the language.
"In the Lagos State House of Assembly, we speak Yoruba every Thursday. We should organise Yoruba quiz competitions and seek sponsorship from well-meaning individuals in Yorubaland," he suggested.
Traditional leaders, community leaders, youths and stakeholders at the event also expressed support for intensified efforts to promote Yoruba language and culture, particularly through primary education and community engagement.
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