Okay News reports that the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially revoked its 2022 National Language Policy, which previously mandated the use of mother tongues or local community languages as the medium of instruction in schools from early childhood to Primary Six.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the reversal on Wednesday during the opening session of the Language in Education International Conference 2025 held in Abuja. The event was organised by the British Council and brought together educators, policymakers, and international partners to discuss language education and inclusivity in schools.
Alausa said that English will now serve as the sole language of instruction in all Nigerian schools, from the primary to tertiary levels. According to him, extensive research by the ministry revealed that the mother-tongue policy had contributed to a sharp decline in students’ performance in public examinations.
“The National Policy on Language has been cancelled. English is now the language of instruction in our schools, from primary to tertiary levels,” he stated. “One of the most important and powerful things in education is language. That’s how the role of language instruction will be developed in all subjects.”
The minister added that data-driven studies showed that pupils taught mainly in indigenous languages struggled to transition into higher classes and perform well in English-based national examinations such as WAEC, JAMB, and NECO.
He explained, “We reviewed the data available to us. Is teaching in the mother tongue really working for us? The unanimous outcome of our review shows overuse of the mother tongue from Primary One to Primary Six, and even from JSS One to JSS Three. We’ve seen total destruction of Nigeria’s system, where children graduate without learning anything and fail national exams.”
Alausa further highlighted the practical challenges posed by Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, noting that some states have multiple dominant languages, making uniform implementation of the previous policy impossible.
He cited examples, saying, “Exams are conducted in English, but we taught these kids through their mother tongue. In Borno State, the mother tongue is Hausa, but many speak Kanuri. In Lagos, areas like Ajegunle have southeastern populations, but 90% of teachers are from the southwest. This diversity requires a unified approach to language instruction.”
The Country Director of the British Council in Nigeria, Donna McGowan, described the conference as a platform to strengthen English language proficiency and promote inclusive education across Africa and beyond. She noted that the forum would enable policymakers, researchers, and educators to design language education strategies that improve learning outcomes.
The now-scrapped 2022 National Language Policy was initially designed to promote indigenous languages and preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage, recognising over 600 local languages, 29 of which are already extinct. However, it faced implementation challenges due to limited teaching materials, inadequate teacher training, and the country’s linguistic complexity.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to developing a unified education system that prioritises effective communication, improved literacy, and global competitiveness among Nigerian students.
