FG declares English sole language of instruction in Nigerian schools

The Federal Government has officially designated English as the only language of instruction across all levels of Nigeria’s education system, discontinuing the use of indigenous languages as teaching mediums.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the policy shift on Wednesday at the Language in Education International Conference 2025 organised by the British Council in Abuja.

Alausa explained that while local languages remain vital for cultural preservation, English provides a more effective and globally competitive medium for learning.

“The English language should be used to teach students at all levels as the primary medium of instruction,” he said.

“Over the years, the use of mother tongues has contributed to poor performance in national examinations.

“The national language policy has therefore been cancelled.”

He described English as a “unifying tool” for Nigeria’s diverse population, citing research showing that students taught primarily in English perform better in major examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB.

The new directive, endorsed at the 69th National Council on Education held in Akure, marks the end of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)’s former mother-tongue policy for Primary 1–3.

According to Alausa, the move aligns with the Federal Government’s education reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aim to promote inclusivity, improve learning outcomes, and align Nigeria’s education system with global best practices.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmed, clarified that while English will be the sole medium of instruction, schools are encouraged to teach at least one Nigerian language to preserve cultural heritage and promote national unity.

Representatives of the British Council at the conference reaffirmed their commitment to supporting inclusive and equitable learning across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for the region, described language as “a bridge to inclusion, identity, and opportunity.”

Similarly, Chikodi Onyemerela, the Council’s Director of Programmes in Nigeria, highlighted the Pan-Ethnic Classrooms Programme, which trains teachers to apply inclusive and language-responsive teaching practices nationwide.