The Federal Government has overturned its 2022 National Language Policy, which required children to be taught in their mother tongue or local language from early childhood through Primary Six.
Announcing the change on Wednesday in Abuja, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa said English will now be the language of instruction in Nigerian schools from primary through tertiary levels.
Speaking at the opening of the Language in Education International Conference 2025, organized by the British Council, Alausa cited poor student performance in public examinations as a key reason for the shift. “Our research shows that teaching in the mother tongue has hindered learning. Pupils often advance to higher classes without mastering essential skills,” he said.
“The National Policy on Language has been cancelled. English is now the language of instruction in our schools, from primary to tertiary levels. Language is central to education, and this shift will strengthen learning across all subjects,” he added.
Alausa highlighted the practical difficulties of implementing a mother tongue policy in Nigeria’s linguistically diverse environment. “While the policy initially applied to Primary One, it has been inconsistently applied across geopolitical zones,” he explained.
He continued: “Our evidence-based review shows that overuse of mother tongue instruction from Primary One to Junior Secondary Three has seriously damaged the education system. Students often reach national exams—WAEC, JAMB, NECO—without adequate preparation.”
The minister also pointed to regional language disparities. “Exams are conducted in English, yet instruction is in local languages. In Borno, for instance, Hausa is taught, though many speak Kanuri. In Lagos neighborhoods like Ajegunle, most teachers are from the southwest, while students are mostly from the southeast. A unified approach to language instruction is now essential.”
ICYMI
Donna McGowan, Country Director of the British Council in Nigeria, said the conference offers a platform for policymakers, educators, and researchers from Africa, South Asia, and the UK to discuss ways to enhance English proficiency and improve learning outcomes.
The 2022 National Language Policy aimed to preserve Nigeria’s over 600 languages, including 29 already extinct. However, challenges such as teacher training, resource development, and managing linguistic diversity hindered its success.
