Russian Journal of LinguisticsRussian Journal of Linguistics2687-00882686-8024Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University)9446Research ArticleThe Role of the English Language in NigeriaBorisovaA ADepartment of Foreign Languages Faculty of Philologykafedra_fl_rudn@mail.ruIlinaN YDepartment of English № 2ilinadezhda@yandex.ruPeoples’ Friendship University of RussiaKutafin Moscow State Law University150220142425309092016Copyright © 2014, Borisova A.A., Ilina N.Y.2014The article examines the role of the English language in Nigeria, a major West African country with a highly diverse ethnic composition of the population and a very complex linguistic situation. While English is the official language, there are more than 500 indigenous languages in Nigeria. Nigerian Pidgin English is a popular means of interethnic communication and a marker of solidarity between the various groups. The article analyzes the role of English in introducing Nigerians to modern knowledge, creating new types of thinking and contributing to the development of national self-awareness. At the same time, the paper points out how the English language is adapted to reflect African mentality and African world view.official languageindigenous languagesethnic composition of the populationethnical and political situationmeans of interethnic communicationdiverse linguistic situationPidgin Englishофициальный языкавтохтонные языкиэтнический состав населениясредство межэтнического общенияпиджин-инглиш[Виноградов В.А., Коваль А.И., Порхомовский В.Я. Социо-лингвистическая типология. Западная Африка - М.: Наука, 1984.][Михеева Н.Ф. Методология изучения контактных языков и диалектов / Разработка единой методики описания и комплексного изучения контактных языков. - М.: РУДН, 2011. С. 4-38.][Нигерия. Справочно-монографическое издание. - М.: ИАфрРАН, 2013.][Прожогина С.В. Алжир / Образование в Африке. - М.: ИАфрРАН, 2013. С. 242-253.][Balogun T.A. In Defense of Nigerian Pidgin // Journal of Languages and Culture. Vol. 4(5). July 2013. P. 90-98.][Igboanusi H. The Igbo Tradition in the Nigerian Novel. - Ibadan, 2001.][Kperogi Faroog A. Top Cutest and Strangest Nigerian English Idioms. - Lagos, 2010.][Mensah E.O. Lexicalization in Nigerian Pidgin / Studies in Linguistics, July 2011.]