The Journey of Igala Language
in the Digital Age
Abdul Mumin Yahaya
Engr, CIPMN, NATE/COREN · Igalapedia Project, Ejule - Nigeria
COREN Certified Civil Engineer · NIIT Trained Web Developer
Chartered Project Manager (CIPMN) · MPM (LASU)
Theme: Digital Identity, Youth Engagement, and Creative Expression
Lead Paper Presentation · Full paper in conference proceedings
The Igala language, spoken by an estimated 1.6 to 2 million people predominantly in Kogi State, Nigeria, confronts the critical challenge of establishing a meaningful digital identity in an era where digital presence increasingly determines cultural visibility.
This paper traces the trajectory of the Igala language from foundational linguistic documentation to advanced computational applications through the Igalapedia project, initiated in 2012 at Ejule, Nigeria.
The project commenced with posting of Igala words and meaning with photos and the computational generation of over +12,000 Igala syllables using JavaScript and permutation principles, a dataset that has subsequently served as the backbone for multiple language technology applications.
The full Igalapedia platform is scheduled to go public for the second time on https://igalapedia.com.ng in the first quarter of 2027.
Through the lens of digital identity, youth engagement, and creative expression, this paper demonstrates how technology can be harnessed to safeguard minority languages while simultaneously advancing educational goals in STEM fields.
Sources: Idakwoji (2015), Ejeba (2025), Dom-Anyanwu et al. (2025)
A language without digital presence becomes invisible in an era where digital presence defines cultural visibility.
The problem is compounded by artificial intelligence systems being trained primarily on large languages like English, French, and Chinese. For Igala, there is simply not enough digital text for AI to learn from.
🎯 Research Gap
No comprehensive digital ecosystem existed for Igala language learning, computational processing, and AI visibility.
Language is a vital component of a community's identity, culture, and heritage. It is a means of communication, expression, and transmission of cultural values and traditions. The loss of a language carries far-reaching consequences:
Digital resources such as language learning applications, social media platforms, and online courses offer new opportunities for language learners and speakers to engage with and promote endangered languages. Digital archives, language learning applications, and online courses provide valuable resources for language documentation and revitalization. These digital resources can be accessed remotely, making language learning more accessible and convenient for individuals worldwide.
The Igalapedia project, Ejule - Nigeria, initiated in 2012 by Abdul Mumin Yahaya, represents a pioneering effort to address the challenge of Igala language preservation through digital technology.
The project was motivated by the desire to "encourage the research, learning, and extensive use of the Igala language in everyday engagement so as to preserve the language."
As a humanitarian and non-profit organization, Igalapedia was initiated by a team of volunteers who directed their efforts towards promoting Igala culture and tradition and portraying a true identity for the Igala people.
The project directly addresses the challenges facing Igala by deploying information and communication technologies (ICT) in digitizing the Igala language.
Numerous computer programs for learning Igala and supporting researchers have been written and built upon the facilities already in place.
The project's services are tailored to provide a research environment for Igala language, creating an enabling environment upon which students, researchers, and Igala language professionals can promote their work on African languages, and Igala in particular, for rapid development.
The full Igalapedia platform is scheduled to go public for the second time on https://igalapedia.com.ng in the first quarter of 2027. This public launch will consolidate the various tools and resources developed over more than a decade into a single, accessible platform, marking a significant milestone in the project's history.
This paper adopts a case study approach combined with principles drawn from design-science research.
The Igalapedia project is treated as a long-term, practice-based digital language development effort.
Design-science research, common in computational linguistics and educational technology, involves the construction and evaluation of artifacts—in this case, digital tools and datasets—with the aim of generating knowledge about both the design process and the resulting artifacts.
The paper draws on multiple sources of evidence:
Where formal evaluation is lacking, this is acknowledged, and directions for future research are proposed.
Throughout the paper, a clear distinction is maintained between completed implementations, ongoing projects, and future initiatives. This transparency is essential for accurate scholarly assessment of the project's achievements and limitations.
This paper traces the journey of the Igala language from fundamental linguistic documentation to advanced artificial intelligence applications through the Igalapedia project.
This transparency is essential for accurate scholarly assessment of the project's achievements and limitations.
In 2013, using JavaScript and principles of permutation and combination, every possible consonant–vowel combination in Igala was generated programmatically.
This resulted in a dataset of over +12,000 syllables—raw data with no headings, no lessons, simply the building blocks of the language.
Igala possesses a complex tonal system, and tone is marked in writing through diacritical marks. Many database systems and content management platforms corrupt or strip these diacritics because they are not configured for African language characters.
By generating all possible syllables and storing them in both Unicode and HTML entity forms, the project created a dataset that could be safely stored and displayed across diverse technical environments.
Technical Solution to a persistent problem in African language computing.
This dual format solves encoding problems that often corrupt African language text in databases.
The raw syllable data was subsequently organized according to a 72-topic pedagogical framework developed by the late Dr. Tom Ajayi Miachi, a pioneer of modern Igala orthography.
Dr. Miachi developed a systematic method for teaching Igala syllables, organizing them into 72 topics based on tone patterns and vowel sequences. He had employed this framework with students and colleagues for decades.
When Dr. Miachi encountered the computational syllable work, he inquired how the syllables were produced. After the computational method was explained, he requested that the data be restructured according to his 72-topic framework so that it could be used for teaching.
Using Excel VBA macros, the raw syllables were reformatted overnight to match his organizational system. By morning, over +12,000 syllables had been arranged into his 72 topics.
The syllable dataset is grounded in the phonological structure of Igala. Igala possesses a vowel harmony system, and its syllables follow specific patterns. The 72 topics reflect these patterns.
Validation:
No formal, published linguistic validation study yet — acknowledged limitation. Future work will address this.
For learners, the syllable dataset functions as a pedagogical resource.
The 72 topics follow the pedagogical framework developed by Dr. Tom Ajayi Miachi. Topics are grouped by tone pattern and vowel sequence.
For developers, the dataset provides the building blocks for word prediction, spell checking, and speech synthesis.
Developers can use the HTML entity columns to store text safely in any database without charset corruption.
This dual nature—serving both pedagogical and computational purposes—is a hallmark of the Igalapedia approach. It reflects the project's conviction that language technology should not be divorced from language learning, and that computational resources gain their value precisely through their application to human learning and cultural preservation.
The converter, implemented through the Igalapedia project since 2012, converts both numbers and monetary values from 1 up to 99,999,999,999 into Igala words.
The program implements a function-based approach using a dictionary-based lookup system combined with arithmetic logic. The dictionary array contains mappings for key number bases (0–20, multiples of ten up to 90, hundreds, and major thousands).
Igala counting is organized primarily around multiples of twenty (ogwu / ogbo). The complexity of deriving non-basic numerals involves:
The code includes direct lookup (1–20), tens decomposition (21–99), hundreds decomposition (100–999), and recursive function calls for complex numbers.
STEM Education mirrors logical structures taught in engineering and computer science.
The linguistic rules are based on published research by Omachonu (2011, 2012) and Ejeba (2025). However, no formal evaluation by a panel of Igala speakers or linguists has been conducted. This constitutes a gap that the project acknowledges. Future work should include a proper validation study involving native speaker judgments and error analysis.
Developed in 2012, the Igala Digital Clock provides a comprehensive, real-time display of all 720 minutes of the day in Igala words.
The program implements a real-time clock with three distinct display components:
The heart of the program is the ishtime(h, m) function, which takes hour and minute parameters and returns the Igala word equivalent. The algorithm uses conditional statements to handle the 720 possible minute combinations.
The clock includes culturally specific time markers that divide the day according to traditional Igala activities and natural phenomena:
This cultural classification adds depth to the time display, connecting temporal awareness to traditional Igala daily rhythms.
For Igala speakers who have lost their native language proficiency, the program provides a pathway back to linguistic and cultural connection. For new learners, it offers a practical, contextual way to acquire language skills.
Users see the current time in both standard digital format and Igala words, allowing them to associate the numerical time with its linguistic expression. As time changes, the Igala display updates instantly, providing real-time practice and reinforcement.
As with the number converter, no formal evaluation study has been conducted. Future work should include validation by Igala language experts and user testing.
A comprehensive application with support for basic and scientific calculations, unit conversions, and number-to-Igala text translation, designed with traditional Igala colors.
Audio feedback serves both educational and accessibility purposes. For language learners, hearing the Igala words reinforces learning. For users with visual impairments, audio feedback provides essential accessibility.
A rich text editor built on the Igala syllable framework.
The Text Composer reduces cognitive load, making it easier for users to compose text. For creative writers, it enables the creation of Igala literature in digital format.
Built on the complete reference of Igala syllables, the TTS system reads Igala words aloud from user input. The recording interface is completed, featuring real-time audio level meter, trim silence functionality, and warning indicators. Full synthesis is in progress.
These tools demonstrate how language technology can support STEM education. The integration of language learning with practical computational tools exemplifies creative expression in language technology. Users interact with the calculator in Igala, reinforcing their language skills while performing everyday tasks.
No formal evaluation studies have been conducted. User feedback has been positive. Future work should include systematic evaluation.
Note: These figures describe the source WordNet 3.1 database. Translation into Igala is ongoing — this is not the number of completed translations.
Example: "bank" → unyi oko (financial institution) vs eti aji (river edge) — teaching AI cultural context.
Requires collaboration between Igala language experts and native speakers, computational linguists, and community contributors.
The methodology is still being refined to ensure consistency, accuracy, and cultural appropriateness.
Modern AI language models are trained on large amounts of text. If a language has very little text online, AI cannot learn it. The result is that AI systems cannot understand, generate, or translate that language accurately.
Making Igala visible to AI means building the digital resources that AI needs to learn the language:
The initiative is not about building a new AI model from scratch. It is about creating the data resources that existing and future AI systems can use to support Igala.
Every synset translated becomes structured training data. AI learns Igala words, meanings, and how they relate.
With WordNet translated, developers can build Igala spellcheckers, chatbots, dictionaries, voice assistants, and translation applications.
Developed: Syllable dataset, number converter, clock, calculator, text composer, TTS recording interface.
Proposed / Early: WordNet translation, AI chat service (not yet publicly available).
All Igala speakers and language enthusiasts are invited to contribute written content. Every article, story, poem, or educational material enriches the dataset and improves AI performance for future generations.
A future where Igala is fully integrated into the digital world: children learning Igala from AI tutors, voice assistants understanding Igala commands, translation applications seamlessly converting between Igala and other languages, and Igala literature accessible to all.
The project's commitment to making resources freely available through web-based interfaces aligns with international efforts to document and revitalize endangered languages. By democratizing access to linguistic knowledge, the project empowers communities to take ownership of their cultural heritage.
Igalapedia began as a desktop software application modeled on digital encyclopedias like Encarta and Britannica. The name "Igalapedia" is a portmanteau of "Igala Encyclopedia."
With the rise of internet and mobile technology, the decline in desktop application usage led to a strategic pivot toward web-based and mobile platforms. This transition reflects the project's commitment to meeting users where they are.
The journey to build Igalapedia has not been without significant challenges:
Despite these challenges, the project has persevered. The web-based components continued to develop and expand. The desktop application, while delayed, has benefited from the extended development period.
Today: The desktop application is approaching readiness for release. The full public launch is scheduled for Q1 2027 at https://igalapedia.com.ng.
Digital identity for a language encompasses four dimensions, all addressed by Igalapedia:
The ecosystem began with syllables and has progressively expanded to include tools for learning, expression, and advanced computational applications.
The public launch of https://igalapedia.com.ng in Q1 2027 will mark a significant step in establishing Igala's digital identity.
The interactive nature of the tools—number conversion, time-telling, calculator functions, text composition, and text-to-speech—appeals to young users who are comfortable with digital technology.
The tools demonstrate that Igala is not just a language of the past but a living language capable of expressing modern concepts and functioning in the digital world.
The CMS includes quiz and quiz generator modules that provide gamified learning experiences. The gamification of language learning has been shown to increase engagement and retention.
Evidence: user feedback, website analytics, educational use. No formal study yet — future research needed.
The Text Composer enables users to write in Igala with ease and accuracy. The TTS system enables users to hear Igala words pronounced correctly. Together, these tools support the creation of Igala literature, music, and other creative content.
The project's commitment to creative expression is also reflected in the CMS modules for proverbs, riddles, and stories. These modules preserve traditional forms of creative expression and make them accessible to new generations.
Igalapedia contributes to documentation and access. Revitalization is possible through visibility and usability. True vitality requires community transmission, intergenerational use, and supportive policies — digital tools alone cannot guarantee it.
Syllable dataset · Vigesimal numeral documentation · WordNet translation (ongoing)
Number converter · Clock · Calculator · Text composer · TTS recording · NLP resources
Pedagogical framework · Gamified quizzes · STEM integration · Language learning tools
Proverbs · Riddles · Names · Traditional time categories · Digital cultural home
Public launch: https://igalapedia.com.ng — First Quarter 2027
The Igalapedia project is committed to community participation. It invites contributions from Igala speakers and language enthusiasts. It makes its resources freely available.
The project invites all Igala speakers and language enthusiasts to contribute written content to the Igalapedia blog. Every article, story, poem, or educational material in Igala enriches the dataset and improves AI performance.
The project's position is that Igala language resources should be freely available for learning, research, and development.
However, the project also recognizes the need for clear policies on data ownership, consent, and benefit-sharing. These policies are still being developed.
This is an area where the project needs to engage more deeply with the Igala community. The goal is to ensure that the project serves the community's interests and that the community has a voice in how its language and cultural knowledge are used.
The public launch of https://igalapedia.com.ng in Q1 2027 will provide an opportunity to formalize these policies and to invite broader community participation.
The project's commitment to making Igala language resources freely available through web-based interfaces aligns with broader international efforts to document and revitalize endangered languages. By democratizing access to linguistic knowledge, the project empowers communities to take ownership of their cultural heritage.
The public launch of https://igalapedia.com.ng in Q1 2027 will provide a platform for many of these future activities.
The Igala language, spoken by an estimated 1.6 to 2 million people primarily in Kogi State, Nigeria, has embarked on a remarkable journey from fundamental linguistic documentation to advanced artificial intelligence applications through the Igalapedia project.
This journey, initiated in 2012, demonstrates how digital technology can be harnessed to safeguard minority languages while simultaneously advancing educational goals in STEM fields.
The Igalapedia ecosystem serves as a replicable model for other endangered languages across Nigeria and beyond. The journey from syllables to AI represents a pathway toward digital identity, youth engagement, and creative expression that can be replicated by language communities worldwide.
The experience of the Igalapedia project demonstrates how visionary leadership combined with modern technology can transform fragmented linguistic communities into unified, resilient digital ecosystems. The project's success in creating comprehensive digital resources for the Igala language shows that sustainable unity—in this case, linguistic unity—is achievable when leaders proactively harness technology as a tool for cultural reclamation, identity reconstruction, and transnational connectivity.
The project's journey from +12,000 syllables to AI applications offers a universal model for language preservation in the digital age. It demonstrates that language preservation is not about freezing a language in time but about enabling it to thrive in new contexts. It shows that digital tools can serve both practical and cultural purposes, making language learning accessible and engaging.
As the Igala people continue their journey toward a united digital identity, the Igalapedia project stands as a testament to the power of technology to preserve, promote, and revitalize minority languages. The journey from syllables to AI is not just about technology—it is about identity, culture, and the future of the Igala people.
The public launch of https://igalapedia.com.ng in the first quarter of 2027 will be a significant step in that journey.
Ayegba, A. A. (2023). The Reconnection Project and the Emergence of a United Igala Kingdom.
Dom-Anyanwu, N. L., Ikwuegbu, R. N., & Isi, D. U. (2025). The Role of Digital Technology in Promoting the Igbo Language: Apps, Social Media, and Online Resources.
Ejeba, S. O. (2025). Numeral Formation in Igala: Morphological Structure, Arithmetic Logic, and Typological Insights. Journal of Universal Language, 26(2), 39-64.
Idakwoji, J. (2015). An Igala-English Lexicon: A Bilingual Dictionary with Notes on Igala Language, History, Culture and Priest-Kings. Partridge Publishing Singapore.
Omachonu, G. S. (2011). Derivational Processes in Igala Numeral System: Some Universal Considerations. Journal of Universal Language, 12(2), 81-101.
Omachonu, G. S. (2012). Comparative Analysis of the Numeral Systems of Igala, Yoruba, German and English. Linguistik Online, 55(5), 57-73.
Yahaya, A. M. (2013a). Developing Igala Local Contents; Using a Digital Approach. Paper presented at the Igala Studies Association (IGSA) Annual Conference 2013, Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa.
Yahaya, A. M. (2013b). Igala Syllables: Complete Reference of +12,000+ Syllables Organized in 72 Topics with Tones. Igalapedia Publications.
The author acknowledges the contributions of Late Dr. Tom Ajayi Miachi, pioneer of modern Igala orthography, whose 72-topic pedagogical framework gave the Igala syllables their structure.
The author also acknowledges the Igala Studies Association (IGSA) for their support of Igala language research and development.
Special thanks to all contributors to the Igalapedia project who have volunteered their time and expertise to preserve and promote the Igala language.
Abdul Mumin Yahaya is the founder and CEO of the Igalapedia Project, Ejule - Nigeria, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Igala language through digital technology.
A COREN Certified Civil Engineer, an NIIT Trained Web Developer, a chartered project manager (CIPMN) and a Master of Project Management (MPM - LASU), he has been developing Igala language technology since 2012, including CMS for teaching Igala language online, a number to Igala word conversion program, Igala time-telling app, Igala calculator applications, text composition, and text-to-speech synthesis (in progress).
He is the author of the Complete Reference of Igala Syllables (under review) and the lead developer of the Igala WordNet translation project and Igalapedia AI initiative. The Igalapedia platform is scheduled to go public for second time on https://igalapedia.com.ng in the first quarter of 2027.