culture

Yoruba Makes List of Top 40 Most Spoken Languages Worldwide

Published

1 year ago

September 22, 2025

theheute

Yoruba language recognition as one of the world’s top 40 spoken tongues marks a proud milestone for Yoruba speakers worldwide

The milestone places Yoruba alongside global giants such as English, Mandarin, Hindi and Spanish.

Also read: AmalaHangOutWithTolu Unites Nigerians in UK Through Culture

For many across Nigeria and the diaspora, this recognition is a powerful affirmation of cultural pride and identity.

Experts say the ranking demonstrates the resilience of Yoruba traditions and the growing influence of African languages on the global stage.

Unlike many indigenous tongues facing decline, Yoruba has retained a strong intergenerational presence, supported by literature, media, and vibrant community use.

The Yoruba language recognition is not just symbolic but a reminder of the role language plays in shaping identity and unity.

Also read: Ooni of Ife Authority is Global, Says Yoruba Council President

With over 51 million speakers, Yoruba now stands proudly among the world’s linguistic powerhouses.

Here is the list below:

1 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦🇦🇺English — 1.53 billion
2 🇨🇳🇹🇼🇸🇬Mandarin Chinese — 1.18 billion
3 🇮🇳Hindi — 609 million
4 🇲🇽🇪🇸🇦🇷🇨🇴Spanish — 558 million
5 🇸🇦🇮🇶🇯🇴🇱🇧Standard Arabic — 335 million
6 🇫🇷🇨🇦🇧🇪French — 312 million
7 🇧🇩🇮🇳Bengali — 284 million
8 🇧🇷🇵🇹🇦🇴🇲🇿Portuguese — 267 million
9 🇷🇺🇰🇿🇧🇾🇰🇬Russian — 253 million
10 🇮🇩Indonesian — 252 million
11 🇵🇰🇮🇳Urdu — 246 million
12 🇩🇪🇦🇹🇨🇭German — 134 million
13 🇯🇵Japanese — 126 million
14 🇪🇬Egyptian Arabic — 119 million
15 🇮🇳Marathi — 99 million
16 🇻🇳Vietnamese — 97 million
17 🇮🇳Telugu — 96 million
18 🇳🇬Hausa — 94 million
19 🇹🇷Turkish — 91 million
20 🇵🇰Western Punjabi — 90 million
21 🇹🇿🇰🇪Swahili — 87 million
22 🇵🇭Tagalog — 87 million
23 🇮🇳🇱🇰Tamil — 86 million
24 🇨🇳🇭🇰Yue Chinese — 86 million
25 🇨🇳Wu Chinese — 83 million
26 🇮🇷🇦🇫🇹🇯Persian (Farsi) — 83 million
27 🇰🇷🇰🇵Korean — 82 million
28 🇹🇭Thai — 71 million
29 🇮🇩Javanese — 69 million
30 🇮🇹Italian — 66 million
31 🇮🇳Gujarati — 62 million
32 🇸🇾🇱🇧🇯🇴🇵🇸Levantine Arabic — 60 million
33 🇪🇹Amharic — 60 million
34 🇮🇳Kannada — 59 million
35 🇮🇳Bhojpuri — 53 million
36 🇸🇩Sudanese Arabic — 52 million
37 🇳🇬Yoruba — 51 million
38 🇮🇳Odia (Oriya) — 42 million
39 🇺🇦Ukrainian — 41 million
40 🇲🇲Burmese — 33 million

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Oluna’s Ifa Festival Draws Pasuma, Malaika to Owode Egba

Published

2 weeks ago

November 2, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Oluna Ifa Festival 2026 brought Pasuma, Malaika, Ibrahim Chatta and other celebrities to Owode Egba for a two-day cultural celebration

Owode Egba in Ogun State became a centre of cultural celebration on October 30 and 31, 2026, as the families of High Chief Ayoola Adeyi Olaifa, the Olu Nla, also known as Oluna of Owode Egbaland, hosted a two-day Ifa Festival featuring prominent Fuji musicians, Nollywood personalities and traditional rulers.

Also read: Ajaero Insists NLC Can Negotiate Alone in Labour Dispute

The event, tagged Ifa Festival ’26, was organised around the theme of heritage, music and community, bringing together residents, visitors and entertainment personalities for two days of cultural activities and live performances.

The first day of the celebration took place at Olunla Villa, Balogun Quarters, Owode Egba, with Fuji musician Sulaimon Alao Malaika leading the entertainment.

He was joined by Alhaji Saheed Bamidele, popularly known as Ife Arawe, guest artiste Olariiki and Awise Mass Kenny, also known as Eyinju Oganla.

Activities continued on Saturday, October 31, at All Saint School 1, Owode Egba, with a bigger entertainment line-up led by Fuji star Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, popularly known as Oganla.

Other performers included Segun Johnson and T.I Blaze, while Nollywood actor Ibrahim Chatta was scheduled to make a special appearance.

Yemi Olade and Kukoyi Adedoyin served as masters of ceremonies for the second day’s programme.

The festival also featured a strong traditional and royal presence. Oba Kolawole Arewa Sowemimo, the Gbadewolu 1 and Olu of Owode Egbaland, was named Royal Father of the Day, while Chief Otunba Michael Oluwole Soretire chaired the occasion.

The gathering brought together traditional leadership and contemporary entertainment, highlighting the role of cultural festivals in celebrating community identity and connecting different generations.

With Fuji performances, celebrity appearances and the presence of traditional rulers, Ifa Festival ’26 provided a platform for residents and visitors to celebrate the heritage and communal spirit of Owode Egbaland.

Also read: Ajaero Insists NLC Can Negotiate Alone in Labour Dispute

The organisers described the event as an opportunity to celebrate culture, tradition and the identity of the community, placing Owode Egba’s cultural heritage at the centre of the two-day gathering.