Federal Government Ends Indigenous Language Instruction Mandate
The Nigerian federal government has made a significant policy shift by abolishing the national mandate that required schools to use indigenous languages as the primary medium of instruction. This decisive move was officially announced by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, during the 2025 Language in Education International Conference organized by the British Council in Abuja.
Evidence-Based Decision Making
Dr. Alausa presented compelling data that influenced this policy reversal, revealing that students taught primarily in indigenous languages demonstrated higher failure rates in national examinations including WAEC, NECO, and JAMB. The minister emphasized that certain geopolitical zones that had enthusiastically adopted the mother tongue approach experienced particularly poor academic outcomes.
"This is about evidence-based governance," declared Dr. Alausa. "English now stands as the medium of instruction from pre-primary, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, and tertiary education." He further explained that the use of mother tongue languages over the past fifteen years had significantly damaged educational quality in specific regions of the country.
Historical Context and Policy Reversal
The now-cancelled National Language Policy had been approved in 2022 with the intention of promoting indigenous languages and recognizing their equal status within the educational system. The policy mandated that children from Early Childhood Education through Primary Six should receive instruction in their mother tongue or the language of their immediate community.
The formal cancellation received approval during the 69th meeting of the National Council on Education, which convened in Akure, Ondo state from November 3 to 7. This policy reversal represents one of the most substantial educational reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration.
Comprehensive Teacher Training Initiative
Concurrent with the language policy change, the government is launching extensive teacher training programs focused on improving foundational learning. Professor Suwaiba Ahmed, the Minister of State for Education, disclosed that new training packages are being designed specifically for teachers of pre-primary to Primary Three.
These training programs will concentrate on enhancing literacy and numeracy teaching methods, ensuring educators are equipped with the most effective approaches to classroom instruction under the new English-language framework.
The British Council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria's educational reforms. Donna McGowan, the Country Director, pledged the council's ongoing collaboration with the ministry across multiple areas including teacher professional development, school leadership, and language proficiency enhancement.
Dr. Alausa concluded his announcement by inviting stakeholders with differing perspectives to present verifiable data supporting their positions, maintaining that the government remains open to evidence-based dialogue aimed at strengthening Nigeria's education sector.
