By Fatima Mukhtar
The Federal Government has officially scrapped the national policy that mandated the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction in Nigerian schools.
According to Platform Times, the decision was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Education, which stated that English language will now serve as the sole medium of instruction across all levels of education — from pre-primary to tertiary institutions.
The policy on mother tongue instruction was originally designed to promote local languages and cultural identity among young learners. However, officials said the implementation faced numerous challenges, including the lack of qualified teachers, limited instructional materials, and the diversity of over 500 local languages across the country.
In reaction to the move, the Linguistic Association of Nigeria expressed disappointment, warning that the scrapping of the policy could further endanger Nigeria’s indigenous languages and erode cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, education stakeholders have called on the government to reconsider its decision, suggesting a blended approach that allows both English and local languages to coexist in classrooms.
Source: Platform Times, Radio Nigeria
