The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO has identified indigenous languages as a key ingredient for sustainable development.

This is contained in a document released by the Cultural organization in June, titled 10 recipes for sustainable development, one common ingredient is Indigenous Languages, inspiring projects to build your appetite for action on the International Decade of Indigenous Languages IDIL 2022-2032.

Listing a total of 10 recipes for sustainable development, drawn from the projects by 10 different countries aimed at the preservation of indigenous languages, UNESCO says like any good recipe, it can be adapted to suit different situations.

Listed on number seven of the publication is the Map of Nigerian Languages. According to the publication, the Map of Nigerian Languages, created by the National Library of Nigeria, addresses the critical endangerment of Indigenous languages. As part of the Library local content initiatives, the Map serves as a national reference and cultural preservation tool, showcasing Nigerias rich linguistic diversity.

The UNESCO Publication is aimed at highlighting good practices and innovative projects  by  National  Commissions for UNESCO to implement the Global  Action  Plan  of  the  International  Decade  of  Indigenous  Languages.

The  recipes  contained  in  the publication  have  been  drafted  and  provided  by  the  National  Commissions  for  UNESCO of Nigeria, Canada, Australia, Colombia,Guatemala, Latvia, Malaysia, Peruvia, Philippines, and Tunisia.

It will be recalled that the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi officially presented the Map of Nigerian Languages to the Honorable Minister of Education in August 2024.