The primary language spoken in Nigeria is English. Nigeria was colonized by the British, who established English as the official language during their rule. Today, English serves as a lingua franca among the diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria, where over 500 indigenous languages are spoken. While English is used in government, education, and media, many Nigerians also communicate in local languages such as Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. The coexistence of English and native languages reflects the country's rich cultural diversity.