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Abstract
Status planning in Nigeria has accorded three of the more than 250 languages in Nigeria the status of national languages with the English language as the official language. The Igbo language is one of the favoured languages and, by its new status, is expected to serve as the language of the legislature and education at the primary level. The 20th century witnessed research efforts by both corporate bodies and individuals in various areas of the Igbo language especially orthography, metalanguage, and lexicography to enhance its capacity to cope with its elaborated functions. Consequently, this study aims to review research efforts in the Igbo language in the 20th century and to propose a programme of research for the language in the present century. The proposed programme may serve as a blueprint for research in African languages with similar status planning experience as the Igbo language.