The Nigerian Pidgin: A Tool for Societal Peace

Abstract 

Language is an essential tool that fosters peaceful coexistence in any society. The Nigerian Pidgin is one of the unifying tools and a panacea for societal peace in a nation like Nigeria, with diverse languages, ethnic groups and cultures. This multilingual nature of the Nigerian society is a barrier to its societal peace, effective communication, and the implementation of the national language policy. In order to resolve the language problem and ensure societal peace, there is need to adopt a lingua franca that is neutral, common and easy- the Nigerian Pidgin is such language because it serves a common medium of communication among Nigerians. 

This paper is descriptive and highlights the relevance and roles of the Nigerian Pidgin in promoting societal peace in Nigeria. The paper has its theoretical thrust on the sociology of language by Fishman (1972). It is revealed that the Nigerian 

Pidgin is not a substandard language; rather it is a linguistic asset that holds the hope of Nigeria nationhood and promises sustainable peace and development. The paper concludes that the Nigerian Pidgin should be promoted and recognised as an official language in Nigeria. 

Keywords: multilingual situation, pidgin & pidginisation, Nigerian pidgin and societal peace