By Peter.
The Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s decision to scrap the 2022 National Language Policy, which mandated mother-tongue instruction from early childhood to primary levels. In a position paper submitted to Education Minister Tunji Alausa on November 25, 2025, and released to journalists on Friday, November 28, NAE described the reversal as a “grave disservice” to Nigeria’s educational progress and cultural heritage.
The Academy, led by President Emeritus Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede and Secretary-General Prof. Chris Chukwurah, argued that the move amounts to “permanent recolonisation and the burial of Nigeria’s future and pride,” urging an immediate reversal.
Background: Policy Shift Sparks Debate
The 2022 policy aimed to promote indigenous languages as the medium of instruction up to Primary 6, fostering better early learning and cultural identity. However, Minister Alausa announced its cancellation at the 2025 Language in Education Conference in Abuja, reinstating English as the sole medium from pre-primary to tertiary levels. He cited poor exam performance in adopting states as evidence of failure, claiming the policy hindered national assessments conducted in English.
NAE’s Key Arguments Against the Reversal
- Evidence-Based Benefits: NAE highlighted studies like the historic Ife Six-Year Project and recent bilingual education research showing children taught in mother tongues excel in academics—even in English—while building stronger cognitive foundations.
- No Empirical Justification: The Academy faulted the government’s rationale, noting mother-tongue instruction ends at Primary 4 and no data links it to 15 years of poor results. “Discontinuing without rigorous evaluation ignores overwhelming evidence,” they stated.
- Cultural and Developmental Risks: Reverting to English-only erodes linguistic diversity, weakens national identity, and exacerbates inequality in a multilingual nation of 500+ languages.
- Implementation Fixes Needed: Instead of scrapping, NAE called for teacher training, better materials, stakeholder engagement, and periodic reviews to address rollout challenges.
“Safeguarding early-grade learning in Nigerian languages is vital to preserving heritage and preventing literacy decline,” the paper emphasized.
NAE’s Separate Alarm on School Attacks: “Education Under Siege”
In a related statement on Tuesday, November 26, NAE decried the “relentless terrorist attacks” on schools, warning Nigeria’s education system is “edging toward collapse.” Citing 92 invasions since 2014—including the November 21 St. Mary’s Catholic School abduction in Niger State (300+ students/teachers)—the Academy reported:
- 2,500 abducted learners
- 180+ children killed
- 90 injured
- 90+ still missing
- 1M+ children living in fear, out of school.
NAE slammed inadequate responses like the Safe Schools Declaration, calling for:
- Full protection for learners/teachers per national/international laws.
- Harsh penalties for perpetrators.
- Better intelligence and coordination.
- Trauma care and compensation for victims.
“These are not statistics but shattered dreams… If Nigeria fails to protect its schools, it fails its future.”
Government’s Stance and Public Reaction
Alausa defended the reversal as pragmatic, but critics—including linguists and educators—warn it prioritizes colonial legacies over evidence-based reform. The NAE offered collaboration: “We reaffirm our readiness to work with the ministry for a functional, culturally grounded system.”
As Nigeria grapples with insecurity and education gaps, NAE’s pleas highlight the urgent need for policies that empower, not erase, the nation’s diversity.
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