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Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English - Education (4) - Nairaland

Nairaland ForumNairaland GeneralEducationNigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English (14622 Views)

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Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by BlueRayDick: 11:33am On Nov 13, 2025
casdoruche:
Answer the question man
Oga, they take exams in English and indigenous Afrikaans language in South Africa at primary & secondary levels. That was why I said you should either ask questions or use google instead of saying someone who knows more than you is "Talking sheet"
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by joseph1832(m): 11:36am On Nov 13, 2025
musicwriter:
This is why in civilized societies like China, Japan, Russia, etc, organizations like the British council is made to know their space and never cross it.

But then, if a white institution is in the African continent to promote their language, it should immediately arouse the curiosity of the black people. Where I don't see it, it means there's something wrong with us.

I therefore, withdraw my support for the Tinubu administration. This is the worst policy a black president can implement.
Don't you think it causes division for states to adopt their indigenous language as regard education?

How can I, an esan man, because I live in Sokoto state, be made to learn in Hausa or Fulfude? That's like infringing on my fundamental human right.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by Shantyken(m): 11:38am On Nov 13, 2025
BlueRayDick:
His arguments are flawed.

What about Indians, Chinese and even European countries who use their own indigenous language as language of instruction, and their students/graduates still compete favorably well when placed side by side with those taught in English in the global market?
How many citizens from South south understand hausa/fulani, tiv, Yoruba
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by Wispower: 11:40am On Nov 13, 2025
Omooba77:
Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English As Primary Medium



https://saharareporters.com/2025/11/12/nigerian-government-suspends-indigenous-language-schools-upholds-english-primary-medium
Imagine a Yoruba man with Hausa surname prohibiting indigenous languages in schools, is this the only problem with education in Nigeria? Square pegs in the round holes
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by Kemetian: 11:42am On Nov 13, 2025
victorazyvictor:
Oh Africa
NOT AFRICA.

NIGERIA.

IT'S NIGERIANS THAT ARE DISGRACING AFRICA WITH THEIR COLONIAL SUBJUGATION.

Why can't we pick a small neutral language like Edo, and make it the National Language?

That removes any ethnic rivalry among big 3, and gives us a rich, INDIGENOUS language we can develop to have every technical name on Earth!

Or are these so-called leaders saying that we will speak English as our national language FOREVER?

ARE THEY MAD??
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by BlueRayDick: 11:43am On Nov 13, 2025
Fiscus105:
How many of such nations use English?

Does China use English to set exam
Spain? Russia? Belgium? Germany?

The minister is indirectly talking about Hausa and North,who aren't doing well in exams, because they don't used to speak English to them from infancy.

Before they come out from such policy, they have done, EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND COMPARISIM. In the south, all of pupils in private schools started learning English from toddler, you yourself know that and that's why, thr is wide gap between south and north in area of education.


YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT EDUCATION, NEITHER ARE YOU EDUCATORS OR RESEARCHER IN EDUCATION.

Again learn how not to attack everything that comes out from govt or even online, just to win unnecessary argument.
The minister's approach like most of our government's approach to issues over the years is the lazy way out approach to tackling issues.

If your claim that "the minister is targeting north with this policy" is to be believed, then I can tell you boldly that the policy won't really achieve much. Your claim extensive research has been done , but this directive looks nothing like something backed by any extensive research because nothing shows they even understand the problem.

Anyways, going forward I hope you learn to address points raised by people in their post rather than projecting nonsense political bias
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by zoomzoom(m): 11:47am On Nov 13, 2025
Omooba77:
[b]Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English As Primary Medium.

Will it stop the UK, canada and USA from demanding we write and pass TOEFL,AND IELTS EXAMS?.



https://saharareporters.com/2025/11/12/nigerian-government-suspends-indigenous-language-schools-upholds-english-primary-medium
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by casdoruche: 11:48am On Nov 13, 2025
BlueRayDick:
Oga, they take exams in English and indigenous Afrikaans language in South Africa at primary & secondary levels. That was why I said you should either ask questions or use google instead of saying someone who knows more than you is "Talking sheet"
If you want to write Yoruba language or Igbo do you write in English before


Go sleep.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by heysquare(m): 11:54am On Nov 13, 2025
BlueRayDick:
His arguments are flawed.

What about Indians, Chinese and even European countries who use their own indigenous language as language of instruction, and their students/graduates still compete favorably well when placed side by side with those taught in English in the global market?
You can't compare those mentioned countries where the same languages use in teaching them is also use to set their exams unlike Nigeria where maybe Hausa language was used to reach and English Language was use in Exams
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by Ezzymadu(m): 12:07pm On Nov 13, 2025
While not find ways to formulate wazonbia
Just mix the three language to one and you will see Nigeria future language cool
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by ufotunang: 12:11pm On Nov 13, 2025
LaIabobo:
The difference is that those kids in china and India also wrote their exams in their language.

In Nigeria, kids might learn in Hausa, igbo or yoruba but CE/WAEC/JAMB are held in English causing the kids to flop the exams.


Nigeria needs to adopt standard learning plans and provide exams that are held in other local languages.
...in some years ago indigenous languages were taught in schools but students did not flop or fail massively in WAEC/ JAMB and other exams some years ago so the indigenous languages did not make them to fail WAEC, jamb, exams.....why students fail massively in exams nowadays is because the reading culture nowadays has died off..many students do not study and read their books and prepare for exams.. they spend more of their time in the social media platforms Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube...they are distracted on this social media and do not spend majority of their time to study and read their books and prepare for exams..that is why there is massive failure in WAEC, NECO, JAMB
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by RealityKings1: 12:12pm On Nov 13, 2025
When you communicate in other people's language you are already conquered.
Part of freedom is to have your own language and culture which is your identity
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by ufotunang: 12:23pm On Nov 13, 2025
oluwaseyi0:
Better
Indigenous language can be learnt at home and in general conversations
.so indigenous languages also make students to fail mathematics in WAEC, NECO, JAMB abi?
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by ufotunang: 12:27pm On Nov 13, 2025
CyynthiaKiss:
Indirectly forcing unity on people..

Dead on arrival
..and a lot of teachers and lecturers teaching this indigenous languages will now lose their jobs ... quiet unfortunate
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by Teeroyzimma: 12:37pm On Nov 13, 2025
Belurved1:
This is not applicable within classroom or lecture room contexts in the Northern region.

Ba turanchi!!!
grin
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by casualobserver: 12:48pm On Nov 13, 2025
No developing country of significant population has ever moved from developing to developed or become a great country adopting another man’s language.

The best and brightest will find themselves in foreign countries powering their economy and the dull as exemplified by the majority on Nairaland will be left to power an economy that will forever be developing.

English guarantees we will remain a pool of manpower for advanced nations
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by musicwriter(m): 12:51pm On Nov 13, 2025
joseph1832:
Don't you think it causes division for states to adopt their indigenous language as regard education?

How can I, an esan man, because I live in Sokoto state, be made to learn in Hausa or Fulfude? That's like infringing on my fundamental human right.
The people that gave you Nigeria also gave you the English language.

Know it that your whole life is now artificial.

Having said that, there's nothing wrong with you an Esan man learning in Hausa or Fulfulde. And there's nothing stopping you an Esan man building an Esan school in Northern Nigeria for Northerners to attend too.

I don't really blame you all when you fail to understand what's at stake. Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Christopher Okigbo, Ezekiel Mphalele and co brought us to this situation. If these people did the right thing after colonialism, we would have been living in a different Africa built with our own language, and all this type of policy would've been behind us for long.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by Jagabanfromcali: 1:05pm On Nov 13, 2025
This minister and the minster for interior are the only competent people in this bigoted government
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by joseph1832(m): 1:16pm On Nov 13, 2025
musicwriter:
The people that gave you Nigeria also gave you the English language.

Know it that your whole life is now artificial.

Having said that, there's nothing wrong with you an Esan man learning in Hausa or Fulfulde. And there's nothing stopping you an Esan man building an Esan school in Northern Nigeria for Northerners to attend too.

I don't really blame you all when you fail to understand what's at stake. Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Christopher Okigbo, Ezekiel Mphalele and co brought us to this situation. If these people did the right thing after colonialism, we would have been living in a different Africa built with our own language, and all this type of policy would've been behind us for long.
My life isn't artificial. Just because Flora Shaw gave us the name Nigeria, doesn't negate the fact that I'm an esan man, and nothing can take that away.

In as much as there is nothing wrong with me, an esan man learning in Hausa or Fulfude, there is also nothing wrong with the Hausa or Fulani man, learning in esan, neither does it stop them from building a school, back here in South South, but the question is, will them?

Perhaps you can also tell the Hausa or Fulani man, as well as other tribes, who are Muslims to learn the Quaran in their native language.

Nigeria is a multi ethnic country, we adopted English as our common language. This doesn't take a away the fact that I, and every other Nigerian don't know who they are, or where they are from.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by Nteogwuija(m): 1:23pm On Nov 13, 2025
Dbestbrest:
The way people argue blindly on nairaland makes me believe that they are myopic. With over 250 languages, how do we pass instructions to one another when we meet ourselves outside our locality? Indians and Germans that some people mentioned speak one language. We are multi diversity and we should always think deep before exposing our ignorance. What of if Seun was thought throughout with Yoruba language, how would he be able to speak to all Nigerians? Let us be guided always and think of the best solutions to move the nation forward. criticising every policy of government can not take us anywhere
Well, the multi ethnicity is part of the reasons Nigeria won't work.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by Guestmale: 1:35pm On Nov 13, 2025
BlueRayDick:
His arguments are flawed.

What about Indians, Chinese and even European countries who use their own indigenous language as language of instruction, and their students/graduates still compete favorably well when placed side by side with those taught in English in the global market?
I too support using our mother language, but those that you have mentioned here are almost monolingual if not totally, unlike Nigeria that we have many languages and many of them don't have correct or exact word for objects, situations and conditions in many subjects.

Except if and only we can agree on a one indigenous language and but will other tribes accept.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by musicwriter(m): 1:37pm On Nov 13, 2025
joseph1832:
My life isn't artificial. Just because Flora Shaw gave us the name Nigeria, doesn't negate the fact that I'm an esan man, and nothing can take that away.

In as much as there is nothing wrong with me, an esan man learning in Hausa or Fulfude, there is also nothing wrong with the Hausa or Fulani man, learning in esan, neither does it stop them from building a school, back here in South South, but the question is, will them?

Perhaps you can also tell the Hausa or Fulani man, as well as other tribes, who are Muslims to learn the Quaran in their native language.

Nigeria is a multi ethnic country, we adopted English as our common language. This doesn't take a away the fact that I, and every other Nigerian don't know who they are, or where they are from.
Indeed, Nigeria is your false identity! It's your your fake Nationality.

If you could go back to a few generations down your bloodline and ask them what's "Nigeria" and "Nigerian" they'll answer that they don't know.

But today, you're not fighting for your Esan language as the language of education, instead you're fighting to speak and learn in a foreign language. If you were really in your right state of mind, you'll be fighting for your Esan identity and language. That's one.

The continuous use of the English language long into the future would complete the second part, which is to wipe out your Esan language.

That's how our re-enslavement will occur on the African continent. Your children's children at that period would wonder what you were doing that you didn't create your own country and language.

By this type of blind policy that the minister is pursuing, we're actually building a huge problem for the upcoming generation to deal with.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by BlueRayDick: 1:52pm On Nov 13, 2025
Guestmale:
I too support using our mother language, but those that you have mentioned here are almost monolingual if not totally, unlike Nigeria that we have many languages and many of them don't have correct or exact word for objects, situations and conditions in many subjects.

Except if and only we can agree on a one indigenous language and but will other tribes accept.
Countries like South Africa have more than one official language.

Nigeria can decide to adopt Yoruba, Hause and Igbo plus one or two more widely spoken languages as official languages.

Note that we are talking about language of instruction at the primary and secondary school level here and not tertiary level
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by ejimatic: 2:04pm On Nov 13, 2025
Omooba77:
Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English As Primary Medium



https://saharareporters.com/2025/11/12/nigerian-government-suspends-indigenous-language-schools-upholds-english-primary-medium
The Minister is a medical doctor He knows nothing about the language policy in education..
Which school uses MT in classes.? None!
Yet failures in English. is the Ministers position the solution ? No
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by engrchykae(m): 2:07pm On Nov 13, 2025
jeff1993:
God I keep asking u, why did u make me an African. Worse of all a Nigerian??

Does China, Japanese English to teach their student before they turn into Engineering and tech wizard that they are? They only teach their children English so that they will have it as a second language. It does not diminish their thinking faculty or reasoning.


Thank u for MR IBETO he taught us Physics in Pure Pidgin English. He is the reason I still love Physics up till today. He broke it down so simply that even the dullest student in our class started getting a D in physics without expo or anything.
there is one chemistry teacher that made chemistry simple that i stopped fearing chemistry.
I went ahead to study polymer engineering which is chemistry based.
Today am eating with chemistry.
Nigerians must look inward in order to shine outward.
That man made us understand that charcoal is carbon.
He made us understand that red soil is iron 3 oxide while yellow soil is iron 2 oxide.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by jeff1993: 2:10pm On Nov 13, 2025
engrchykae:
there is one chemistry teacher that made chemistry simple that i stopped fearing chemistry.
I went ahead to study polymer engineering which is chemistry based.
Today am eating with chemistry.
Nigerians must look inward in order to shine outward.
That man made us understand that charcoal is carbon.
He made us understand that red soil is iron 3 oxide while yellow soil is iron 2 oxide.
.... Like bro if I see that man today I don't mind getting him a car. He really tried. Imagine him explaining laws of motion in pure warri Pidgin. Class was Fun + we were learning.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by ambale(m): 2:24pm On Nov 13, 2025
FreeStuffsNG:
He never called for suspension but that English language be given more priority.
No be English language we dey use before??

Always speaking more than the speakers

nA only core northern states I know say maybe then dey use Hausa or Arabic for their students
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by ambale(m): 2:25pm On Nov 13, 2025
erniok:
The national policy on language has been cancelled. English now stands as the medium of instruction across all levels of education,” he added.


Did you skip the bolded while reading?
That guy dey overdo like Wike jere 🤣🤣🤣
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by silibaba: 3:05pm On Nov 13, 2025
Omooba77:
Nlfpmod, what is happening.......
So you want our kids to be forced taking toefl bah?
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by crazygod(m): 3:13pm On Nov 13, 2025
Since this guy became minister of education, he has goofed on all policies concerning education. You can't teach a medical doctor how to be an educationist. He is in the wrong ministry.
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by klawaaa: 3:17pm On Nov 13, 2025
I know this werey APC govt would do anything to appease the West in the midst of the confrontation they are going through. Wait for more to come.
Omooba77:
Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English As Primary Medium



https://saharareporters.com/2025/11/12/nigerian-government-suspends-indigenous-language-schools-upholds-english-primary-medium
Re: Nigerian Government Suspends Indigenous Language In Schools, Upholds English by Caseless: 3:33pm On Nov 13, 2025
We're getting messed up everyday. Look at what the idiots we elect to represent us are doing.
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