Faisal Salisu DambattaThe Federal Government has officially scrapped the national policy mandating the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction in schools, directing teachers across Nigeria to adopt English as the primary language of teaching and learning.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the decision on Wednesday while speaking with journalists at the Language in Education International Conference 2025, organised by the British Council in Abuja.
The two-day conference, themed “Language, Education and Inclusion: Empowering Every Learner,” brought together policymakers, educators, researchers, and development partners from Africa, South Asia, and the United Kingdom to discuss strategies for improving education through language inclusion.
Dr. Alausa explained that the move was aimed at improving learning outcomes and ensuring uniformity in classroom instruction nationwide.
He said that while the government recognizes the cultural value of indigenous languages, evidence showed that the use of local languages as a primary medium of instruction had negatively impacted comprehension and academic performance, particularly 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 noted that English serves as a unifying language in Nigeria’s diverse linguistic landscape and provides students with better access to knowledge, technology, and global opportunities.
He emphasized that the decision was based on data-driven evidence and not sentiment, stressing the importance of evidence-based governance in education policy.
Meanwhile, the British Council reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive and equitable education through language-responsive teaching in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for Sub-Saharan Africa, said language remains a “bridge to inclusion, identity and opportunity for every learner,” adding that sharing research, experiences, and successful strategies is vital to improving learning outcomes globally.
Also speaking, Chikodi Onyemerela, Director of Programmes at British Council Nigeria, said inclusion continues to be at the heart of the organisation’s work.
The new directive marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s education policy, as English becomes the sole official medium of instruction from the pre-primary to tertiary level across the country.
