Multilingual Health Communication and Public Health Outcomes in Nigeria
Language constitutes a fundamental determinant of health system effectiveness, particularly in multilingual societies where communication diversity intersects with unequal access to biomedical knowledge. In Nigeria, the multiplicity of indigenous languages alongside the dominance of English in formal healthcare creates persistent communication asymmetries that influence health understanding, behavioural compliance, and service utilisation. This paper conceptualises language as a strategic health resource rather than a neutral communication medium. Drawing on Communication Accommodation Theory and Sociolinguistic Theory, the study critically examines how multilingual communication structures affect patient comprehension, institutional trust, and public health outcomes. The analysis reveals that linguistic accessibility enhances cognitive processing of medical information, strengthens therapeutic relationships, and improves adherence to treatment, while linguistic exclusion contributes to misinterpretation, delayed care-seeking, and systemic health inequality. The study concludes that integrating multilingual communication into healthcare systems is essential for improving equity, efficiency, and effectiveness in public health delivery.