Nigeria Bans Mother-Tongue Teaching Revert To English

Federal Government Scraps 2022 National Language Policy, Reversing Indigenous Language Instruction in Schools…

By [African Nugget]

Abuja, Nigeria — In a move that has sparked widespread debate among educators, linguists, and cultural advocates, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the scrapping of the 2022 National Language Policy, a landmark framework that had mandated the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction from early childhood education through Primary Six.

The decision, conveyed through the Minister of Education, effectively reverses a policy hailed by many as a bold step toward preserving Nigeria’s linguistic heritage and strengthening foundational learning among children.

The 2022 National Language Policy was introduced to address concerns that Nigeria’s rich linguistic diversity was being eroded by the dominance of English in classrooms.
– It required schools to adopt mother tongue or indigenous languages as the primary medium of instruction in the formative years of education.
– The policy was designed to improve comprehension, cultural identity, and inclusivity, while gradually transitioning to English and other languages at higher levels of schooling.
– Advocates argued that children learn faster and retain knowledge more effectively when taught in their first language.

The Education Minister explained that the policy had faced implementation challenges, including:
– Lack of teaching materials in indigenous languages.
– Shortage of trained teachers capable of delivering lessons in local tongues.
– Concerns about standardization across Nigeria’s more than 500 languages and dialects.

Officials said the reversal was necessary to “streamline instruction” and avoid confusion in classrooms, particularly in urban centers where multiple languages coexist.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from cultural advocates and education experts:
– Linguists warn that the decision undermines efforts to preserve Nigeria’s indigenous languages, many of which are already endangered.
– Educators argue that abandoning mother-tongue instruction will widen learning gaps, especially in rural communities where English proficiency is low.
– Civil society groups see the move as a setback for cultural pride and national identity, accusing the government of prioritizing convenience over long-term educational reform.

“This reversal is not just about language,” one education analyst noted. “It is about erasing the cultural foundation of millions of Nigerian children and reinforcing inequality in learning outcomes.”

The scrapping of the policy raises several pressing concerns:
– Cultural erosion: Indigenous languages risk further decline as English continues to dominate.
– Educational inequality: Children from non-English-speaking homes may struggle more in early education.
– National identity: The decision could weaken efforts to instill pride in Nigeria’s diverse heritage.
– Policy inconsistency: Frequent reversals in education policy may undermine trust in government reforms.

While the government insists that English will remain the primary medium of instruction, it has pledged to support indigenous languages through extracurricular programs and cultural initiatives. However, critics argue that such measures fall short of the systemic protection needed to safeguard Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.

The debate over language in education is far from over. For many Nigerians, the scrapping of the 2022 policy represents not just a bureaucratic adjustment, but a profound cultural and educational turning point.