Igbo (; ; archaically
Ibo ) (Igbo:
Asụsụ Igbo), is the principal native language of the
Igbo people, an ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria. There are approximately 24 million speakers, who live mostly in
Nigeria and are primarily of
Igbo descent. Igbo is written in the
Latin script, which was introduced by
British colonialists. There are over 20 Igbo dialects. There is apparently a degree of
dialect levelling occurring. A standard literary language was developed in 1972 based on the
Owerri (Isuama) and
Umuahia (such as Ohuhu) dialects, though it omits the
nasalization and
aspiration of those varieties. There are related
Igboid languages as well that are sometimes considered dialects of Igbo, the most divergent being
Ekpeye. Some of these, such as
Ika, have separate standard forms. Igbo is also a recognised minority language of Equatorial Guinea.