The Federal Government has abolished the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in Nigerian schools, making English the sole language of teaching from early childhood to tertiary level.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the new directive on Wednesday 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, and experts from across Africa, South Asia, and the UK to discuss strategies for improving learning outcomes through language.
Dr. Alausa explained that while preserving Nigeria’s local languages remains important for cultural identity, English offers a more effective and globally competitive medium for learning.
“The English language should be used to teach our students at all levels as a means of instruction,” he said. “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.”
He described English as a “unifying tool” for Nigeria’s diverse population, noting that research showed students taught primarily in English perform better in exams like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB.
According to him, the decision marks a shift from emotional attachment to local language identity toward evidence-based education policy.
Meanwhile, the British Council reaffirmed its support for inclusive and equitable learning across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for the region, said language can serve as “a bridge to inclusion, identity, and opportunity.”
Also speaking, Chikodi Onyemerela, the British Council’s Director of Programmes in Nigeria, highlighted the organisation’s Pan-Ethnic Classrooms Programme, launched in 2015, which helps teachers apply inclusive and language-responsive teaching practices.
FG’s Statement on New Language of Instruction Policy
“The Federal Government has reaffirmed English as the official language of instruction across all levels of Nigeria’s education system while launching a new Inclusive Language Policy to promote national unity and quality learning outcomes.
“At the 69th National Council on Education in Akure, the Council unanimously resolved that English remains the medium of instruction from primary to tertiary levels, discontinuing the NERDC’s mother-tongue policy for Primary 1–3.
“Minister of Education, Chief (Dr.) Maruf Tunji Alausa, stated that the decision aligns with Nigeria’s education reforms to
strengthen inclusivity and align with global best practices under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmed, explained that the new policy promotes the teaching of at least one Nigerian language alongside English to preserve cultural heritage and foster unity.”