Digital Preservation of Endangered Nigerian Languages: Assessing the Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Sustaining Linguistic Diversity in Taraba State

Nigeria, with over 500 languages, ranks among the world's most linguistically diverse nations, yet many indigenous languages face endangerment due to globalization, urbanization, and the dominance of English and major regional languages. Taraba State, home to more than 80 ethnic groups, exemplifies this linguistic richness and vulnerability. This study investigates the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in preserving endangered languages in Taraba State, focusing on four languages: Mumuye, Jukun, Kuteb, and Kam. Using a mixed-methods research design combining a questionnaire survey of 400 language speakers, 45 stakeholder interviews, document analysis, and case studies of existing digital initiatives, the research evaluates current digital preservation efforts, assesses ICT accessibility in language communities, and identifies barriers to effective technology utilization. Quantitative findings reveal that only 22.3% of respondents use their indigenous language daily across all domains, while 68.5% report using Hausa or English for economic interactions. Mobile phone penetration reaches 81.3% across communities, but only 15.8% have ever accessed digital content in their indigenous language. While promising initiatives exist including the Kam Language Project's digital documentation and Nigeria's N-ATLAS multilingual AI model significant challenges persist: limited internet infrastructure (38.7% good/excellent access), inadequate funding, the dominance of major languages in digital spaces, and low community awareness. The study proposes a community-centered framework for digital language preservation integrating mobile technology, social media, and collaborative documentation. This research contributes to digital linguistics scholarship and offers practical recommendations for policymakers, linguists, and language communities striving to sustain Nigeria's linguistic heritage.