Social media was in a good mood when a clip of UK schoolchildren singing a Yoruba song started doing the rounds on TikTok. The video, shared by the account @discoveryoruba, shows primary school pupils in the United Kingdom performing the beloved Yoruba classic “Lábẹ́ Igi Òròmbo” together, and it has been warming hearts since Legit.ng reported on it on 6 August 2026.
What happened in the video?
The clip shows a group of pupils in school uniform standing in an open courtyard, singing with energy and confidence. Before the song begins, a voice can be heard telling the children to stand up straight and project their voices, so it appears to be an organised school performance. The account captioned it “Awww Yoruba is a very sweet language,” and viewers agreed.
What does “Lábẹ́ Igi Òròmbo” mean?
The song is a favourite nursery rhyme taught to Yoruba children. Its title means “under the orange tree,” and the lyrics describe children playing there, happy and full of energy. It is often one of the first songs a Yoruba child learns, which is why seeing it sung by children abroad touched so many people.
How Nigerians reacted
Reaction was warm and a little cheeky. One commenter joked that you would not see another language used in the same setting, another translated the lyrics for those who did not know them, and a third claimed Yoruba is among the official languages in the UK. That last claim is a joke or a misunderstanding, since Yoruba is not an official language of the UK, but it shows the pride viewers felt.
Why this matters for Yoruba in the diaspora
Stories like this show how Yoruba language and culture are spreading through classrooms and social media. Diaspora communities are also holding events in the UK, such as the ones in our guide to Yoruba events in London this October. Want to join in? Start with our guide to Yoruba greetings.
Source: Legit.ng (6 August 2026). Image credits: Arthur Tseng and Anna Amelina on Unsplash. Photos are illustrative, not from the TikTok video.
