Nigerian schools to teach exclusively in English, says Education Minister Alausa

The Federal Government has suspended the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in Nigerian schools, directing teachers across the country to prioritise English in all teaching activities.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Wednesday during 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 educators, policymakers, and researchers from Africa, South Asia, and the UK to discuss strategies for improving education through language inclusivity.

Dr. Alausa stated that while the preservation of indigenous languages remains essential for cultural identity, English would now serve as the official language of instruction from pre-primary to tertiary levels.

According to him, this shift aims to improve comprehension, learning outcomes, and global competitiveness among Nigerian students.

“The English language should be used to teach our students at all levels as a means of instruction,” Alausa said.

“Over the years, mother tongues have been used to teach, and this has largely been responsible for the failures recorded in exams.”

“The national policy on language has been cancelled. English now stands as the medium of instruction across all levels of education.”

He further explained that English acts as a unifying tool across Nigeria’s diverse linguistic landscape, offering students better access to global knowledge, technology, and opportunities.

The minister noted that data showed excessive reliance on mother tongue instruction had negatively affected performance in national exams such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB.

Alausa emphasised that the decision reflects a move toward evidence-based education reform, rather than what he called “emotional attachment to language identity.”

Meanwhile, the British Council reaffirmed its support for inclusive and equitable education across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “Language can serve as a bridge to inclusion, identity, and opportunity for every learner,” stressing the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing to enhance global education outcomes.

Also speaking, the Director of Programmes at British Council Nigeria, Chikodi Onyemerela, underscored inclusion as a key focus of the Council’s partnerships, adding that since 2015, its Pan-Ethnic Classrooms Programme has promoted inclusive teaching practices in Nigerian schools.

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