English is the official language, and Pidgin gets you everywhere. But Yoruba is Lagos’s language, and even a few words change how people respond to you.
Where to learn
- Private tutors: many teachers and university students teach Yoruba, at home or online. Ask for one who teaches adults.
- University language departments and cultural centres run courses from time to time.
- Apps, books and online lessons cover the basics; use them alongside a person, not instead.
The tones
Yoruba is a tonal language: the same letters mean different things on high, middle and low tones, and written Yoruba marks them with accents. Learn the tones from the start, from a speaker, rather than from spelling.
Practising
- Greetings first: the morning, afternoon and evening greetings, and the respectful forms for elders.
- Market and transport phrases, where you will use them daily.
- Ask people to correct you. Most will be delighted that you are trying, and will tell you so.