Nigeria has been recognized as the fifth-best English-speaking country in Africa and the 29th globally in the latest Education First (EF) English Proficiency Index (EPI) for 2025. This ranking highlights the nation's strong command of English as an official language and its role in education, business, and international communication.
The EF EPI 2025, which evaluates English proficiency across 123 countries and regions, places Nigeria in the "High Proficiency" category with a score of 568. On the African continent, Nigeria trails South Africa (1st in Africa, global rank not specified in top listings but scored 602), Zimbabwe (2nd, 602), Kenya (3rd, 19th globally), and Zambia (4th, 27th globally). Following Nigeria are Ghana (6th), Uganda (7th), Ethiopia (8th), Tunisia (9th), and Tanzania (10th).
Hon. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, commented on the achievement: "This ranking is a testament to the dedication of our educators, students, and the widespread use of English in Nigeria's diverse society. It underscores our commitment to enhancing language skills as a key driver for economic growth and global integration."
The EF EPI is an annual report that measures average English skills based on test data from millions of adults worldwide. Nigeria's position reflects improvements in education policies and the prominence of English in media, governance, and daily life, with over 95 million English speakers in the country.
The Federal Ministry of Education encourages continued investment in language programs to further elevate Nigeria's standing on the global stage.