The Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) today strongly criticized the Federal Government's recent decision to scrap the National Language Policy, which eliminates the use of mother tongues as the medium of instruction in early education.
In a position paper submitted to the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, on November 25, the NAE described the reversal as a "grave disservice" to Nigeria's educational progress and urged the immediate restoration of indigenous languages in foundational schooling.
The policy reversal, announced earlier this month, designates English as the sole medium of instruction at all levels, with the Minister claiming that mother tongue usage has contributed to poor performance in national examinations. However the NAE argues that this rationale lacks empirical support and overlooks decades of research demonstrating the benefits of early education in indigenous languages.
"Overwhelming evidence shows that teaching children in their mother tongue improves learning outcomes, strengthens cultural identity, and promotes inclusive national development," said Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, President Emeritus of the NAE.
Citing landmark studies such as the Ife Six-Year Project and recent bilingual education research, the Academy emphasized that pupils taught initially in their native languages perform better academically even in English compared to those exposed prematurely to foreign-language instruction. The NAE further warned that discontinuing mother tongue instruction without rigorous evaluation risks "permanent recolonisation and the burial of Nigeria’s future and pride."
The Academy faulted the Minister's attribution of examination failures to mother tongue education, noting that such instruction typically ends at primary four and that no data links it to poor outcomes over the past 15 years.
Joining a chorus of experts, stakeholders, and organizations like the Nigerian Academy of Letters, the NAE highlighted that the real challenges in Nigeria's education system, such as inadequate teacher welfare and resources should be addressed instead.
In calling for the policy's reinstatement, the NAE recommended strengthening its implementation through enhanced teacher training, development of improved learning materials in local languages, greater stakeholder engagement, and regular evidence-based reviews.
"Safeguarding early-grade learning in Nigerian languages is vital to preserving our national heritage and preventing further decline in literacy," added Prof. Chris Chukwurah, Secretary General of the NAE.
The Nigerian Academy of Education reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Education to build a functional, culturally grounded education system that empowers future generations. The full position paper is available upon request.