₦airaland Forum

Solution to the language problem in 9ja
After thinking for some time, I think I have found a way to make our native languages work to be our national language without causing many problems. I just wanted to show you guys what I came up with after some time of thinking. No insult please. Also, this thread is exclusively for non-tribal bigots.
Thanks. Don’t forget to comment what you think.
The things I’d advise us to do are:
1. Make our official language to be NATIVE LANGUAGE and English our Second language.
Why? – Since countries like China, Japan and Korea are learning English, it would be stupid of us to throw the language away.
2. Let every state pick its official language. The criteria being that the most spoke language in the state should be the state language. Also, the state should pick a neighboring native language as its second language. For example, Oyo state should pick Yoruba as its state language and Igbo as its second language.
Why? – Picking a neighboring language as a second language would foster national unity. Also it would increase the number of people who can speak more than one native language in Nigeria.
3. Only Lagos, because of the numerous tribes living in the state, and Abuja, being the FCT, should pick English as its first language and Yoruba and Hausa as its second language.
Why? – Forcing international companies, embassies and so on to start speaking the native language could have a negative effect on the state economically. I stand to be corrected though.
4. Make laws against Tribal and Religious bigotry and discrimination and so on.
Why? – So as to protect the interest of the minority.
5. Let the ministry of Education create a proficiency examination to be taken twice every year. The test should be graded a Level 0 to Level 5.
Why? – So that everyone would know how fluent he/she is in other Nigerian native languages.
6. Let all university students learn a new language. The language to be learnt must not be their native language or the most spoken language or its second language in the state they grew up in. Also let the language learnt be a criteria to the location in which one shall be posted to during their NYSC.
Why? – If this is achieved, it will mean that an average Nigerian will be able to speak more than three different Nigerian languages. Also, they would have an idea about the cultures of others while learning them.
7. French in our school curriculum should be scrapped. It should be replaced by the second language chosen by the state.
Why? – What’s the point of learning French that most of us don’t know how to speak at the end of the day? Why not start learning a Nigerian language. Wouldn’t that be better?
8. All subjects aside the language subject should be taught in the official language of that particular state in schools. This means Math, commerce, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agric, Financial accounting and so on should be taught in the state language of that state. This should apply to the universities too.
Why? – Let’s learn in our language of better understanding.
9. English should still be widely spoken in the country.
Why? – Let’s not throw away our ability to speak English.
10. Let sec. school students be awarded a level proficiency after their SSCE exam depending on their score in the language they took.
Why? – To encourage them to learn more and visit the state in which the language the learnt is being spoken.

FAQs
1. Won’t this stop migration between states due to language barrier?
Ans. – Never!!! People will never stop migrating. It’s not possible. If an American can decide to learn Japanese and migrate to Japan despite America being a blessed country, I see no reason why Nigerian will stop migrating.
2. How can a job seeker looking for jobs in other states/region where his/her language isn’t spoken?
Ans. – Simple. As long as he can speak English, he his guaranteed a job if the employer wants to employ him. However, he/she will need to take a proficiency exam on that language so as to be fully brought in into the company.
3. What would be the minimum proficiency score for job seekers looking for jobs in other regions/states where their language isn’t spoken?
Ans. – The minimum level for most job seekers should be lever three. The ones for the medical aspect should be level two.
4. What would be the requirements for sec. school students entering university?
Ans. – The new requirements would be a minimum credit in math, language subjects and the three main department subjects. For example, an Ibadan boy wishing to study MBBS in a university would need a minimum of C in math, English, Yoruba, Igbo (assuming Igbo is the second language of Oyo state), Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
5. What about sec. students and other migrating from one region/state to the other, for example from Ondo to Anambra. Does it mean he/she would have to wait till he understands the language being spoken in Anambra until he goes back to school?
Ans. – Obviously not. Since English is still widely being spoken in the country, he/she can continue learning in English till he fully grasps the language being spoken in that state.
What do you guys think? Abeg, don’t insult me oooo, I just wanted to share what was in my head. If you think it can’t work, state why?

nor be Nigerians... even if you allow dem enter heaven... dem go still dey do ... tribalism... even god nor fit rule us...

OKUCHI11:
nor be Nigerians... even if you allow dem enter heaven... dem go still dey do ... tribalism... even god nor fit rule us...

Now this got me laughing

CandidAdmin:
Now this got me laughing

There is no language problem in Nigeria.

English should remain the national language of communication, while indigenous languages used where appropriate.

Language have never been a barrier to development of Nigeria.