Developing an Integrated Language Revitalisation Model for Minority Yoruba Communities in Northern Nigeria

Existing language revitalisation models developed in European and Pacific contexts have been applied to African minority language contexts without sufficient theoretical adaptation to account for the specific social, political, and economic conditions of minority indigenous communities in postcolonial African states. This dissertation develops an original Integrated Language Revitalisation Model (ILRM) specifically designed for minority Yoruba communities in northern Nigeria, drawing on theoretical synthesis and extensive empirical fieldwork. The empirical research involves comparative case studies of five minority Yoruba communities in Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Katsina, and Sokoto States, using mixed-methods research including community sociolinguistic surveys, institutional analysis, intervention programme assessment, and participatory action research with community members. The theoretical framework synthesises Fishman's Reversing Language Shift model, Hinton and Hale's green book revitalisation framework, post-colonial theory, and complexity theory applied to language ecology. Existing revitalisation research on Yoruba has focused on diaspora communities outside Africa and has not produced a model addressing the specific structural challenges of northern Nigerian minority Yoruba contexts, including security constraints, economic marginalisation, and remoteness from institutional support. This dissertation makes an original theoretical contribution by developing the ILRM, which integrates community empowerment, institutional partnership, digital resource development, and intergenerational transmission support into a single coherent framework adapted to northern Nigerian conditions. Findings will validate the ILRM framework against existing community programme data. Recommendations will address national language revitalisation policy and international collaboration for minority Yoruba communities. Keywords: language revitalisation, Yoruba, northern Nigeria, minority communities, integrated model.