Nigeria has secured a prominent position among the top English-speaking nations in Africa, according to the latest global language assessment. The 2025 Education First English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) has ranked Nigeria as the fifth-best English-speaking country on the African continent. Globally, the nation holds the 29th position out of 123 countries and regions evaluated.
How Nigeria Stacks Up Against Other African Nations
The comprehensive report, which analyzed data from a staggering 2.2 million test takers worldwide, provides a clear hierarchy of English skills across the continent. South Africa leads Africa, ranking 13th globally, followed closely by Zimbabwe, which also shares the 13th global rank. Kenya occupies the third spot in Africa (19th globally), with Zambia taking fourth place (27th globally) just ahead of Nigeria.
This year's edition of the EF EPI marked a significant methodological shift. For the first time, the index incorporated assessments of speaking and writing skills, measured using advanced artificial intelligence technology developed by EF's own education technology division. This provides a more holistic view of language proficiency beyond just reading and listening comprehension.
Expert Insight on the Global Role of English
Kate Bell, the author of the EF EPI and EF's Head of Assessment, emphasized the enduring importance of English in international discourse. She stated that "English remains the world’s most widely shared language for international communication." Bell further noted, "In a time of growing global complexity, its role as a common bridge between cultures, economies, and ideas is more important than ever."
The recognition in the 2025 index follows previous international acclaim for Nigeria's English capabilities. In the 2023 EF EPI ranking, Nigeria was also highlighted, then positioned as the third-best English-speaking nation in Africa, behind South Africa and Kenya. This fluctuation highlights the competitive and evolving landscape of language proficiency across the continent.
The Broader Context of English as a Global Language
English, which serves as Nigeria's official language, continues to solidify its status as a global lingua franca. Worldwide, it is spoken by nearly 1.5 billion people. Of this immense number, approximately 400 million are native speakers, while over 1 billion use it as a secondary language for business, education, and cross-cultural communication. When combined, these figures cement English's position as the single most widely adopted universal language.
The EF EPI ranking underscores the critical role of English proficiency in a country's integration into the global economy and its ability to engage in international diplomacy, education, and technology exchange. For Nigeria, maintaining and improving this proficiency is key to leveraging its large, youthful population for greater global influence and economic opportunity.
