The Nigerian government has suspended the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in schools, directing teachers nationwide to adopt English as the primary language for teaching at all levels.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the new directive on Wednesday during the Language in Education International Conference 2025, organised by the British Council in Abuja. The two-day event brought together policymakers, educators, and researchers from Africa, South Asia, and the UK to explore strategies for promoting equitable education through language.
Alausa explained that although indigenous languages remain vital to cultural identity, English will now be used as the core instructional language from pre-primary to tertiary levels to improve comprehension, learning outcomes, and global competitiveness.
He said previous reliance on mother tongues had contributed to poor performance in national examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB. “The national policy on language has been cancelled. English now stands as the medium of instruction across all levels of education,” the minister stated.
Alausa added that English also serves as a unifying language in Nigeria’s diverse linguistic environment, offering students broader access to global knowledge and opportunities. The decision, he said, aligns with evidence-based governance rather than emotional attachment to linguistic identity.
In response, the British Council reaffirmed its support for inclusive and language-responsive education across Sub Saharan Africa. Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for the region, said language should be “a bridge to inclusion, identity and opportunity.”
Chikodi Onyemerela, Director of Programmes at British Council Nigeria, highlighted the organisation’s ongoing efforts to embed inclusive practices in classrooms through initiatives like the Pan Ethnic Classrooms Programme.
