Nigeria education policy English replaces mother-tongue rule

Nigeria ends its mother-tongue education policy, returning to English instruction in schools. Experts debate the impact on learning and language heritage.

Government Reverses Three-Year-Old Language Policy

The Nigerian government has officially scrapped its mother-tongue teaching policy, reinstating English as the main medium of instruction across all education levels. The decision was announced by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, who said the indigenous-language policy failed to meet expected academic outcomes.

Why the Mother-Tongue Plan Failed

Introduced three years ago, the policy aimed to improve understanding by teaching children in their native languages during early education. However, recent data from national exam bodies such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB showed a decline in student performance, particularly in regions that fully adopted the system.
Dr. Alausa noted that the results reflected a “mass failure rate,” prompting the immediate reversal.

Experts Divided Over the Decision

The announcement sparked mixed reactions among education experts, teachers, and parents.
Education analyst Dr. Aliyu Tilde supported the move, stating that Nigeria lacks the infrastructure, trained teachers, and learning materials to effectively teach in multiple local languages.
He also emphasized that all major national exams are conducted in English, making the transition to mother-tongue teaching impractical.

In contrast, social affairs commentator Habu Dauda argued that the reform was abandoned too early. He said that three years is too short to evaluate such a major educational reform and called for more investment in teacher training and resources before judging its success.

Parents Welcome Early English Learning

Many Nigerian parents have expressed relief at the change. For instance, Hajara Musa, a mother of two, said that learning English early will give children a global advantage.
“English is a global language used everywhere. It’s better for kids to start early instead of learning it later,” she said.

The Ongoing Language Dilemma

Nigeria’s education system faces ongoing challenges, including underfunded schools, teacher shortages, and poor infrastructure. The debate highlights a deeper struggle: how to preserve the country’s rich linguistic diversity while preparing students for a globalized, English-dominant world.