A Nigerian man, Adedeji Odulesi, has revealed that he can speak over eight languages including English, Pidgin (Nigerian English), Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, French, German, Spanish, and also his native language, Ijebu.
Adedeji was born into a nuclear family of seven, which included his father, and mother, both from Ijebu, and five siblings in the Warri area of Delta State in 1972, where he learned how to speak Yoruba, English, and Pidgin.
His parents were transferred to Sokoto in 1981 where he learned the Hausa language. Towards the end of the 90s, his family moved to Imo and there, he learned the Igbo language.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Adedeji disclosed that he learned French, Spanish, and German all by himself in Nigeria. He also revealed that he is married to a French-Yoruba woman, and they have two kids.
Adedeji’s linguistic abilities have greatly benefited him, especially in his career. He works in a multinational organization, where he often communicates with colleagues and clients from different countries.
He further encouraged parents to speak their local language to their children, emphasizing the importance of preserving Nigeria’s rich linguistic heritage.
