₦airaland Forum

Incredible, every African countries needs to emulate Ghana in this by embracing their languages as a medium of instruction while English can serve as a subject.

Ghana's Education Ministry announced on October 24, 2025, that local languages will serve as the primary medium of instruction in basic schools, reviving a 2002 policy to enhance early learning comprehension while teaching English as a subject.

The post advocates for pan-African adoption of this approach to preserve indigenous languages and counter colonial influences, sparking debates on balancing cultural identity with global communication needs.

UNESCO-backed research shows mother-tongue education improves literacy and retention rates by 20-50% in multilingual settings, supporting Ghana's strategy for better academic outcomes in diverse classrooms.

SpencerForbes:
Why can’t Nigeria have its own general language🤔

Nigeria faces a complex linguistic situation, with over 250 languages (I stand to be corrected) spoken within its borders. The idea of adopting a single national language raises several questions. Which language would be chosen, and what would be the implications of that choice?

The country has major languages like Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, but selecting one could lead to feelings of exclusion among other linguistic groups. English serves as a common language for official purposes, business, and education, bridging gaps between different ethnic groups. Without unity and national diversity, I don’t think we’ll be able to achieve this.
🚶‍♂️

dollypi:
3 regions, each region can teach in one main local language.

SpencerForbes:
What about the general language to use in inter-regional communication🤔

Jakarta:
And how will they commuinicate with the outside world? African leaders always rushing to make laws that are less important. We are yet to have reliable access to clean water, electricity, good roads, even with our vast natural resources, but dumping English as an official language is our problem for now.

TONYE001:
How are China, Russia et al. communicating with the outside world 🌍?

Jakarta:
And how will they commuinicate with the outside world? African leaders always rushing to make laws that are less important. We are yet to have reliable access to clean water, electricity, good roads, even with our vast natural resources, but dumping English as an official language is our problem for now.

TouchNfollow:
https://x.com/Joe__Bassey/status/1982505417159950558?t=lZ9t1t1-pKYatGFeLg4L2A&s=08[/quote]It is only for Primary 1-3 pupils, in order to aid their understanding as infants or toddlers

Svoboda:
The only people who speak Japanese are the Japanese people, so how do they communicate with the outside world?

Afghans speak Pashto. How do they communicate outside of Afghanistan.

Iranians speak Farsi. Have you ever seen an Iranian president addressing a global audience in English?
If I had my way Nigerian presidents should be addressing Unga in Yoruba or Hausa or Igbo.

Jakarta:
Are you aware English is a core subject in Chinese? What is stopping Africa from being developed like any of the countries you listed? Is it because of English language?

TONYE001:
English can be a core subject in Ghana while not being an official language.. two different things.

The discussion today isn't about development. It's about chosing one's own language as the lead language. I wonder why this should be criticized.

If you want to discuss development, you can start a thread and we'll talk about it.

Ghana is making the right decision.

Jakarta:
Then you didn't read or understand my initial comment, it was more about development, and focusing on important issues. This is just chasing shadows.

Jakarta:
And what happens to the other Nigeria languages? How will you come to the conclusion of choosing a particular language over others? This will make Nigeria breakup even faster.