Professional Yoruba Translation Services UK

Yoruba is spoken by over 45 million people, primarily in southwestern Nigeria (Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun states) and parts of Benin and Togo. The UK has one of the largest Yoruba diaspora communities outside Africa, particularly concentrated in London, Birmingham, and Manchester.

Yoruba is a tonal language with three tones (high, mid, low) that are essential for meaning. Written Yoruba uses the Latin alphabet with additional diacritical marks to indicate tones and certain sounds. Accurate translation requires understanding these tonal distinctions and their representation in writing.

Our Yoruba translators are native speakers with expertise in Nigerian administrative systems and UK immigration requirements. Whether you need birth certificates for visa applications, academic credentials for NARIC recognition, or legal documents for UK proceedings, our certified translations are accepted by the Home Office, UKVI, UK courts, and all official bodies.

We translate all types of Yoruba documents from Nigeria:

• Civil registry documents — Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates from Lagos State, Oyo State, and other southwestern Nigerian state registries
• Identity documents — Nigerian National ID (NIN), international passports, driver's licences, voter cards
• Academic credentials — WAEC/NECO certificates, university degrees from University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, and other Nigerian institutions
• Legal documents — Court orders from Lagos High Court and state courts, affidavits, contracts, statutory declarations, police clearance certificates
• Business documents — CAC registration certificates, company documents, contracts, Lagos State business permits
• Traditional and religious documents — Traditional marriage certificates, church marriage certificates, chieftaincy documents

All translations include certification accepted by UK authorities for immigration and official use.

Accurate Yoruba translation requires specific expertise:

• Tonal accuracy — Yoruba has three tones that change word meanings. Written documents use diacritical marks (acute, grave, macron) to indicate tones. Our translators accurately interpret these marks
• Dialectal variations — Yoruba has several dialects (Lagos, Ibadan, Ekiti, Ijebu). While Standard Yoruba is used in official documents, regional variations appear in traditional certificates
• Lagos State documents — As Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos has specific document formats and registration systems. We understand Lagos State administrative procedures
• Dual naming systems — Yoruba people often have both Yoruba traditional names and English/Christian names. We ensure correct representation of all name components
• Traditional titles — Yoruba documents may include traditional titles (Chief, Otunba, etc.). We accurately represent these honorifics in translation

Our translators understand both Nigerian administrative systems and UK official requirements, ensuring your documents meet all standards for acceptance.