The current study seeks to examine the sociolinguistic features of Nigeria’s online communities on Facebook, specifically focusing on code-switching, identity formation and communication on digital platforms. Adopting a qualitative approach, ten (10) Facebook messages and comments were purposefully selected for content, discourse and thematic analysis. Results reveal that the practice of code-switching among English, Nigerian Pidgin, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa languages took place in 90% of selected data and constituted the predominant form of communication. Five major themes have emerged from the data: code-switching as social practice; language as identity formation; the creation of Nigerian Digital Vernacular (NDV); Pidgin as a source of solidarity and humour; and vernacular language as the means of counter-hegemonic politics. The current study reveals that Nigerians on Facebook use complex code-switching strategies that are reflective of their identities and social consciousness. It is suggested that Nigerian Pidgin be formally recognized as a language used in public communications; digital sociolinguistics be included into academic curriculums; and more studies on African digital multilingualism be undertaken.

Keywords: code-switching, sociolinguistics, digital communication, identity construction, language.