Language | Branch | Cluster | Dialects | Alternate spellings | Own name for language | Endonym(s) | Other names (location-based) | Other names for language | Exonym(s) | Speakers | Location(s) | Notes |
Hɨpɨna | Baushi | | | Supana | Tihɨpɨna | Vihɨpɨna pl. Ahɨpɨna | | | | | Niger State, Rafi LGA, Supana town | |
Mɨn | Baushi | | | | Tiimɨn | Vʷinyi Mɨn pl. Ayi Mɨn | Bauchi Guda, Kukoki (name of largest town) | | | | Niger State, Rafi LGA, 27 villages in 8 chiefships | |
Ndәkә | Baushi | | Shena may be a dialect | Madaka | Tundәkә | Vundәkә pl. Andәka | | | | | Niger State, Rafi LGA, Madaka town | |
Rubu | Baushi | | | | | | | | | | Niger State, Rafi LGA, Rubu town | |
Wãyã | Baushi | | | Wayam | Tũwãyã | Vũwãyã pl. Ãwãyã | | | | | Niger State, Rafi and Shiroro LGAs, Wayam town | |
Samburu | Baushi | | | | | | | | | | Niger State, Rafi LGA, Samburu town | no data |
Gurmana | Eastern | | | | | | | | | estimated more than 3,000 (1989) | Niger State, Shiroro LGA. Gurmana town and nearby hamlets | |
Cipu | Kambari | | Kumbashi, Tikula, Ticihun, Tirisino, Tidipo, Tizoriyo, Tiddodimo | | Cicipu | Tocipu | Acipa, Achipa, Achipawa, Atsipawa | Tәcәp Tochipo Tә–Sәgәmuk | Bucepo sg., Ucɛpo pl. Bu–Sәgәmuk sg. | 3,600 (1949 G&C) | Kebbi State, Sakaba LGA; Niger State, Mariga and Rafi LGA, Kaduna State Birnin Gwari LGA | |
Damakawa (extinct) | Kambari | | | Damakawa | | | | | Tidama’un (Cicipu name) | 500-1000 ethnic population, but language now has only a few rememberers | Kebbi State, Sakaba LGA, villages of Inguwar Kilo and Marandu | The dubious reliability of some of the data and the possibility of Cipu loans makes the classification of Damakawa slightly uncertain. |
Kambari I cluster | Kambari | Kambari I | | Kamberi | | | | | | with Kambari II: 67,000 (1952 W&B); 100,000 (1973 SIL) | Niger State, Magama and Mariga LGAs; Kebbi State, Zuru and Yauri LGAs; Niger State, Borgu LGA | |
Agaɗi | Kambari | Kambari I | | | Tsɨgaɗi | | Kakihum | | | | Niger State, Mariga LGA | |
Avaɗi | Kambari | Kambari I | | Abadi, Evadi | Tsɨvaɗi | | Ibeto | | | | Niger State, Magama LGA | |
Baangi | Kambari | Kambari I | | Baangi | ciBaangi | sg. vuBaangi, pl. aBaangi | | Bangawa (Hausa) | | estimate more than 5,000 (1989) | Niger State, Kontagora LGA, Ukata town and nearby villages; probably also into adjacent Kebbi State, Yauri LGA | |
Tsishingini | Kambari | Kambari I | | | Cishingini, Tsishingini | Mashingini pl. Ashingini | Salka | | | | Niger State, Magama LGA | |
Yumu | Kambari | Kambari I | | | Yumu, Osisi | | | | | | Niger State, Borgu LGA, at Yumu and Osisi | |
Kambari II cluster | Kambari | Kambari II | | Kamberi | | | | | | with Kambari I: 67,000 (1952 W&B); 100,000 (1973 SIL) | Niger State, Magama LGA; Kebbi State, Zuru and Yauri LGAs; Kwara State, Borgu LGA | |
Agaushi | Kambari | Kambari II | | | Cishingini | | Auna | | | | Niger State, Magama LGA; Kebbi State, Yauri LGA | |
Akimba | Kambari | Kambari II | | | Tsɨkimba | Akimba | Auna, Wara | | | | Niger State, Rijau, Magama LGA; Kebbi State, Yauri LGA | |
Cishingini, Nwanci | Kambari | Kambari II | | Cishingini, Ngwәci | Cishingini, Tsɨwәnci | Mawunci sg. Ŋwәnci pl. | Agwara | Agara’iwa | | | Niger State, Borgu, Magama LGA; Kebbi State, Yauri LGA | |
Zubazuba | Kamuku | | | | Gamazuba | | | | | | Igwama, Mariga LGA, Niger State | |
Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki cluster | Kamuku | Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki | | | | | | | Kamuku | | Niger State, Chanchagga, Rafi and Mariga LGAs | |
Cinda | Kamuku | Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki | Oxford Primary Maths 1 (1988?) | Jinda, Majinda | Tucindә | sg. Bucindә pl. Cindә | | | | | Niger State, Mariga, Rafi, Kusheriki LGAs, Kaduna State, Birnin Gwari LGA | |
Regi | Kamuku | Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki | | | Turegi | sg. Buregi pl. Regi | | | | | Niger State, Mariga, Rafi, Kusheriki LGAs, Kaduna State, Birnin Gwari LGA | |
Kuki | Kamuku | Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki | Azana, Akubyar | Tiyar [town name not a language] | TuKuki | BuKuki pl. Kuki | Kamuku | | | | Niger State, Mariga, Rafi, Kusheriki LGAs, Kaduna State, Birnin Gwari LGA | |
Kwacika (extinct) | Kamuku | Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki | | | Tukwacika | sg. Bukwacika pl. Kwacika | | | | There was only one elderly speaker in the 1980s; hence, it is almost certainly extinct | Kaduna State, Birnin Gwari LGA | |
Kwagere | Kamuku | Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki | | | | | | | | | Niger State, Chanchagga, Rafi and Mariga LGAs | |
Basa-Gurara–Basa-Benue–Basa-Makurdi cluster | Kamuku–Basa | Basa-Gurara–Basa-Benue–Basa-Makurdi | | | | | | | | | | |
Basa-Gurara | Kamuku–Basa | Basa-Gurara–Basa-Benue–Basa-Makurdi | | | | | Basa-Kwali | | | | Federal Capital Territory, Yaba and Kwali LGAs, along the Gurara river | |
Basa-Benue | Kamuku–Basa | Basa-Gurara–Basa-Benue–Basa-Makurdi | | Basa | RuBasa | TuBasa | | Abacha, Abatsa | Basa-Komo, Basa-Kwomu (not recommended) | 30,000 (1944-50 HDG); 100,000 (1973 SIL) | Kogi State, Bassa, and Ankpa LGAs, Nasarawa State, Nasarawa LGA | |
Basa-Makurdi | Kamuku–Basa | | | | | | | | | | Benue State, Makurdi LGA, several villages on the north bank of the Benue, northwest of Makurdi | no data |
Basa-Gumna–Basa-Kontagora cluster (extinct?) | Kamuku–Basa | Basa-Gumna–Basa-Kontagora (extinct?) | | | | | | | | | | |
Basa-Gumna (extinct) | Kamuku–Basa | Basa-Gumna–Basa-Kontagora (extinct?) | | | | | | Gwadara-Basa, Basa Kuta, Basa-Kaduna | | Only 2 known semi-speakers in 1987. The population known as Basawa speaks only Hausa. Probably now extinct | Niger State, Chanchaga LGA | |
Basa-Kontagora (extinct) | Kamuku–Basa | Basa-Gumna–Basa-Kontagora (extinct?) | | | | | | | | Fewer than 10 speakers in 1987. Probably now extinct | Niger State, Mariga LGA, N.E. of Kontagora | |
Basa-Gurmana | Kamuku–Basa | | | | Kɔrɔmba | | | | | more than 2,000 speakers (1987) | Niger State, border of Rafi and Chanchaga LGAs, Kafin Gurmana | |
Rogo | Kamuku–Basa | Cinda-Regi-Rogo-Kuki | | | TɔRɔgɔ | BɔRɔgɔ sg. Rɔgɔ pl. | | | Ucanja Kamuku | | Niger State, Rafi and Kusheriki LGAs, around Ucanja town, 30 km northwest of Kagara. | |
Fungwa | Kamuku–Basa | | | | Tufungwa | Afungwa | Ura, Ula | | | 900 (1949 H.D. Gunn) | Niger State, Rafi LGA, at Gulbe, Gabi Tuƙurbe, Urenciki, Ringa and Utana | |
Hùngwә̀ryə̀ | Kamuku–Basa | | Dialects: Bitbit (Kwabitu), Lәklәk (Karaku), Jinjin (Makangara), Wũswũs (Karaiya), Tәmbәrjә (Tambere) | | Cәhungwә̀ryə̀, Tʷə̀hungwә̀ryə̀ [ʨə̀hungwә̀ryə̀] | Bùhùngwə̀ryə̀ sg., ə̀hùngwə̀ryə̀ pl. | | | Ngwoi, Ngwe, Ungwe, Ingwe, Nkwoi, Ngwai, Ungwai, Hungworo | 1000 (1949 HDG), 5000 (2007 est.) | Niger State, Rafi, Kusheriki LGA, around Kagara and Maikujeri towns | |
Shama–Sambuga cluster | Kamuku–Basa | Shama–Sambuga | | | Tushama | sg. Bushama, pl. Ushama | | | Kamuku | | Niger State, Rafi LGA | |
Shama | Kamuku–Basa | Shama–Sambuga | | | Tushama | Bushama sg. Ushama pl. | | | | | Niger State, Rafi LGA, Ushama [=Kawo] town. 15 km northwest of Kagara | |
Sambuga (extinct) | Kamuku–Basa | Shama–Sambuga | | | | | | | | Possibly extinct (2008) | Niger State, Rafi LGA, Sambuga town. 10 km northwest of Kagara | |
Shen | Lake | | | Laro, Laru | | | | | Laruwa | 1,000 (1992 est.) | Niger State, Borgu LGA | |
Rop | Lake | | | Lupa, Lopa | Kirikjir | Djiri | | | Lopawa | 960 (NAT 1950); 5,000 (1992 est.) | Niger State, Borgu LGA, Kebbi State, Yauri LGA. At least 6 villages on the east shore of Kainji Lake plus two others on the western shore. | |
Tsupamini | Lake | | | Lopa | | | | Lopanci | Lopawa | 960 (NAT 1950); 5,000 (1992 est.). Global estimate with Rop | Niger State, Borgu LGA, Kebbi State, Yauri LGA. At least 6 villages on the east shore of Kainji Lake plus two others on the west shore. | |
Reshe | Lake | | Birәmi (South), Bәmәmәdu (Northwest), Bәpalame (Northeast). Harris (1930:321) claims a ‘secret dialect’ called Tsudalupe which = Bәmәmәdu. | Tsure Ja | Tsureshe | Bareshe | | Gunganci | Gungawa, Yaurawa | 15,000 (1931 G&C); 30,000 (1973 SIL) | Kebbi State, Yauri LGA; Niger State, Borgu LGA | |
Hun–Saare | Northern | | Western (sSaare) (around Dukku), Eastern (tHun) (around Rijau), Tungan Bunu | Ethun | tHun, sSaare | Hunnɛ | Duka | Dukanci | | 19,700 (1949 Gunn and Conant); 30,000 (1980 UBS) | Kebbi State, Sakaba LGA; Niger State, Rijau LGA | |
Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun cluster | Northern | Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun | | | | | The name ut-Main has been adopted by various members of this cluster as a cover term for these languages, but whether it will be widely adopted remains to be seen. | Fakanci, Fakkanci | | 12,300 (1949 G&C) | Kebbi State, Zuru and Wasagu LGAs, west of Dabai | |
Kag | Northern | Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun | | | tKag | sg. woo Kag, pl. Kagne | | Faka, Fakai (town name), Fakanci, Fakkanci | Pәku–Nu (cLela name) | | Kebbi State, Zuru LGA, Mahuta and Fakai areas | |
Fer | Northern | Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun | | | tFer | sg. wasFer, pl. asFer | | | Kukum Wipsi–Ni (cLela name) | | Kebbi State, Zuru LGA, around Kukum town | |
Jiәr | Northern | Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun | | | tJiәr | sg. wauJiәr, pl. aJiәr | | Gelanci Serim | Gelawa, Geeri–ni | | Kebbi State, Zuru LGA, around Bajidda; Rijau LGA, Niger State | |
Kәr | Northern | Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun | | | tKәr | sg. wauKәr, pl. Kәrne | | Kela, Adoma Kelanci Kilinci | Keri–Ni Kelawa | | Kebbi State, Zuru and Wasagu LGAs, north of Mahuta but south of the Kag river | |
Koor | Northern | Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun | | | t–ma–Koor | sg. wauKoor, pl. aKoor | | | | | Kebbi State, Zuru LGA, around Bakara | |
Ror | Northern | Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun | Dialect used for language development | | ǝt–ma–Ror | sg. wauRor, pl. aRor | | | Tudawa d–Gwan | | Kebbi State, Zuru LGA around Birnin Tudu | |
Us | Northern | Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun | Us have no specific dialect but speak like the Ror | | tUs | sg. wauUs, pl. aUs, asUs | | | | | Kebbi State, Zuru LGA, west of Fakai | |
Zuksun | Northern | Kag–Fer–Jiir–Kar–Koor–Ror–[Us]–Zuksun | | | tZuksun | sg. wauZuksun, pl. aZuksun | | | Zusu Wipsi–ni | | Kebbi State, Zuru LGA around Tungan Kuka, south of Fakai | |
Wuri-Gwamhyә–Mba | Northern | | | Gwamfi | | wa–Gwamhi sg. a–Gwamhi pl. and wa–Wuri sg. a–Wuri pl. | | Banganci | Lyase–ne Dәknu Bangawa for Gwamhi | Two peoples with one language | Kebbi State, Wasagu LGA; Gwamhi around Danko town and Wuri around Maga town | The term Wurkum is applied to the Kyak, Banda, Kulung, Kwonci, Maghdi, Kholok, Mingang, Pero, Piya, and Nyam group, several of which remain to be investigated. |
cLela | Northwestern | | Zuru, Ribah | | cLela (Clela, C–Lela), Lelna | Kәlela sg., Lelna pl. | | Chilala Dakarci | Lalawa, Dakarkari, Dakkarkari, Kalla–Kalla, Cala–Cala | 47,000 (1949 G&C); 69,000 (1971 Welmers) | Kebbi State, Zuru, Sakaba and Wasagu LGAs; Niger State, Rijau LGA. Around Zuru town | |
Rin | Shiroro | | Awәgә is sometimes classified as a dialect of Rin, but it may in fact be a distinct but vanishing language spoken by one Rin clan. | | Tә̀rĩ́, Tarin | sg. Bùrĩ,́ pl. Arĩ ́ | Arringeu, Pongu, Pongo, Pangu | | | 3,675 (1949 HDG); >20,000 (1988) | Niger State, Rafi LGA, near Tegina | Despite the indigenous name, forms of Pangu are preferred by the community for publications purposes. |