What to know about Tiv ethnic group

The Tiv is a language spoken by the Tiv people, an ethnic group from Benue State, Nigeria, as well as parts of Cameroon and Ghana.

The Tiv language belongs to the Bantu branch of the Niger-Congo language family.

As of 2024 around 7 million people speak Tiv, primarily in Benue State, Nigeria, with smaller communities in Cameroon and Ghana.

The tribe TIV varies from different dialects, as the majority of TIV are from Nigeria

Within Nigeria the tribe TIV is mainly spoken in Benue, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa state

Over the years the tribe stands as an important part of the cultural identity of the Tiv people, through traditional ceremonies, storytelling, and everyday communication.

The Tiv tribe has been considered a vulnerable language, with a decline in usage among younger generations. Though efforts are being made to document and promote the language through education and cultural programs.