The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially abolished the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in the country’s schools, introducing an English Only policy that will apply from early childhood education to tertiary level.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday during the Language in Education International Conference 2025, organized by the British Council in Abuja.
The two-day conference, themed “Language, Education and Inclusion: Empowering Every Learner,” gathered educators, policymakers, and experts from Africa, South Asia, and the United Kingdom to explore strategies for improving learning outcomes through language.
Dr. Alausa explained that while Nigeria’s indigenous languages remain crucial for cultural identity and heritage, English offers a more effective and globally relevant medium for learning.
He stated, “The English language should be used to teach our students at all levels as a means of instruction. Over the years, the use of mother tongues in schools has contributed to poor performance in national examinations. The national policy on language has therefore been cancelled.”
According to the Minister, English serves as a “unifying tool” for Nigeria’s diverse population, with studies showing that students taught primarily in English tend to perform better in national examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB.
He emphasized that the decision marks a shift from emotional attachment to indigenous languages toward evidence-based education reform aimed at improving literacy, comprehension, and global competitiveness.
The British Council expressed strong support for the initiative, pledging to continue promoting inclusive and equitable learning across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for the region, stated that language should serve as “a bridge to inclusion, identity, and opportunity.”
Similarly, Chikodi Onyemerela, the British Council’s Director of Programmes in Nigeria, highlighted the Pan Ethnic Classrooms Programme, launched in 2015, which helps teachers implement inclusive and language-responsive teaching practices.
The English Only policy is expected to reshape classroom instruction, teacher training, and curriculum development across Nigeria. While many educators welcome the move as a path toward academic competitiveness, others have raised concerns about its possible effects on the preservation of Nigeria’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Experts suggest that for the policy to succeed, it must balance global literacy goals with respect for Nigeria’s local languages, ensuring that no learner is disadvantaged in the process.
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