The Federal Government has announced the cancellation of the 2022 National Language Policy, which previously required pupils from early childhood through Primary Six to be taught in their mother tongue or the language of their local environment. Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja during the opening of the Language in Education International Conference 2025, organised by the British Council. Under the new directive, English will now serve as the official language of instruction across all levels of Nigerian schools, from primary to tertiary. Alausa explained that research conducted by the Ministry of Education showed that the use of mother tongues as the primary medium of instruction contributed to poor performance in national examinations. “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 one of the most powerful tools in education, and we must ensure it enhances learning across all subjects,” he said. The minister also cited Nigeria’s linguistic diversity as a major challenge, noting that implementation of the previous policy varied across regions, and in some areas, it was not applied at all. “Overuse of mother tongue from Primary One to Primary Six, and even into junior secondary classes, has led to a collapse in learning outcomes. Many students reach SS3 unable to read or write properly, resulting in failures in WAEC, JAMB, and NECO,” Alausa stated. Highlighting regional disparities, he added that while English is the language of national examinations, pupils are often taught in local dialects. “In Borno, the mother tongue is Hausa, but many speak Kanuri. In Lagos, areas like Ajegunle are dominated by southeastern residents, yet most teachers are Yoruba. A unified language of instruction is essential to bridge these gaps,” he explained. British Council Country Director Donna McGowan said the conference seeks to strengthen English language proficiency and introduce testing solutions to improve educational outcomes. She added that it gathers educators, researchers, and policymakers from Africa, South Asia, and the UK to explore how language can enhance inclusion and learning. The abolished 2022 Language Policy had aimed to promote indigenous languages and cultural heritage, recognising over 600 Nigerian languages, 29 of which are already extinct. However, it faced significant challenges, including limited teaching materials, inadequate teacher training, and the complexity of addressing Nigeria’s diverse linguistic landscape.
