The Influence of Social Media on Yoruba Language Use Among Undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

The rapid expansion of social media platforms has introduced new communicative norms that challenge the integrity of indigenous languages in Nigeria. This study investigates the influence of social media on Yoruba language use among undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, South West Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted, with data collected from 250 randomly selected undergraduates using structured questionnaires. The study focuses specifically on how platforms such as WhatsApp, Twitter/X, and Instagram affect the frequency, formality, and orthographic accuracy of written Yoruba. Drawing on language endangerment theory and sociolinguistic contact theory, the research analyses the extent to which social media promotes hybrid forms of Yoruba, often blended with English or Yoruba-derived internet slangs. Recent studies have highlighted that digital communication is reshaping minority and indigenous languages globally, yet specific documentation of this phenomenon for Yoruba remains limited in the literature. This study addresses that gap by focusing on a university community with documented high social media engagement. The research evaluates whether students who frequently use Yoruba on social media demonstrate greater language loyalty or whether exposure to English-dominant content accelerates language shift. Findings are expected to inform digital language promotion strategies applicable to Yoruba departments across Nigerian universities. Keywords: social media, Yoruba language, undergraduates, language shift, Obafemi Awolowo University.