Nigerian Government Abandons Mother Tongue Policy in Schools for English Instruction

The Nigerian government has scrapped the mother tongue policy in schools, mandating the use of English as the primary language of instruction. The Minister of Education, Dr.

Tunji Alausa, announced this shift during the Language Education International Conference 2025 organized by the British Council in Abuja. The decision aims to improve learning outcomes, maintain cultural identity, and enhance global competitiveness.

Data revealed that the overuse of mother tongue instruction contributed to mass failures in exams. The new policy emphasizes the importance of preserving local languages while prioritizing English for educational purposes.