Tiv people

The Tiv (or Tiiv) are a Bantu ethnic group. They constitute approximately 3.5% of Nigeria's total population, and number over 8 million individuals throughout Nigeria and Cameroon.

The Tiv language is spoken by over 8 million people, predominantly in Nigeria, with a smaller number of speakers in Cameroon. The majority of Tiv language speakers reside in the Nigerian states of Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau and Cross River. Linguistically, the Tiv language belongs to the Benue–Congo branch of the Niger–Congo phylum.

Historically, during pre-colonial times, the Fulani ethnic group referred to the Tiv as "Munchi" (sometimes recorded as Munshi), a designation that has not been embraced by the Tiv people themselves till present day.