This study investigated the impact of globalisation on Nigerian cultural traits, with a particular focus on the culture and language of Ñdi-Ìgbò residing in the South-East zone of Nigeria. Motivated by UNESCO’s prediction of the near-extinction of the Ìgbò language, and by extension, its culture, the research aimed to identify strategies for preserving Ìgbò identity in a globalised Nigeria. It relied on secondary data collection techniques to examine the pros and cons of globalisation on indigenous Ìgbò culture, as well as the factors contributing to the near extinction of the Ìgbò language. Guided by the theoretical frameworks of cultural imperialism and language shift, the analysis revealed that the negative attitude of Ñdi-Ìgbò towards their native language and culture stemmed largely from modern colonialism – globalisation, which promoted economic growth and eroded cultural traditions via cultural hegemony and hybridisation. Another contributing factor to the decline of the Ìgbò language was the dominance of English as the language of politics, commerce, and education in Nigeria, with all legal documents, constitutions, and policies written in English. The study recommended that the Nigerian government review existing policies and enforce the provisions of the Cultural Policy for Nigeria (1988) and the National Policy on Education (2013), particularly those related to the use of indigenous languages. It also urged Ìgbò parents to actively speak the Ìgbò language to their children to ensure its sustainability, emphasising that the loss of language equates to the loss of culture and, ultimately, the loss of identity.
Culture, globalisation, language, extinction, Ñdi-Ìgbò.
