Nigerian Indigenous Languages Readiness for Inclusivity and Online Accessibility: The Challenges and the Way Forward

ABSTRACT: Language inclusivity and online accessibility are crucial for language development and survival in today’s digital landscape. However, Nigeria’s rich linguistic diversity, with over 510 languages, is starkly contrasted by the fact that only three maintain a significant online presence, presenting a concerning scenario. The objective of this study is to investigate Nigeria’s efforts towards inclusivity and development of indigenous languages for online visibility and accessibility. To achieve this objective, a content analysis approach was employed to examine online textual literature from Google Scholar and Scopus databases. The literature was coded and categorized based on the study’s conceptual framework. The findings revealed that, although some literature reports linguistic development in certain languages, little effort and limited community and government commitment were evident.