Nigeria restores English as medium of instructionCEFR B1
11 Dec 2025
Adapted from Abdulrosheed Fadipe, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Markus Winkler, Unsplash
The Federal Government has reversed the 2022 National Language Policy, restoring English as the sole language of instruction from pre-primary through tertiary education. The original NLP, introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education in 2022, had required Indigenous languages for the first six years and promoted curricula, materials and teacher training for mother-tongue teaching.
The reversal was announced by Minister of Education Tunji Alausa at the Language in Education Conference in Abuja on 12 November 2025. The decision had been adopted earlier at the 69th National Council of Education meeting in Akure, Ondo State, from 3 to 7 November 2025. The minister cited high failure rates and students' difficulties with English in exams such as WAEC, NECO and UTME.
Many experts and cultural organisations criticised the move. The Nigerian Academy of Letters called for reinstatement and its president, Professor Andrew Haruna, warned that denying mother-tongue instruction limits access to deep knowledge. The Linguistic Association of Nigeria launched a petition signed by 999 people and a summit on 28 November 2025 demanded immediate reinstatement. Some commentators defended the reversal, citing practical challenges and proposing alternatives like compulsory local-language classes and community programmes. The Federal Ministry of Education has given no sign it will change the decision.
Difficult words
- reverse — change to the opposite position or decisionreversed
- sole — only one; not shared with other things
- instruction — teaching; the act of giving knowledge
- curriculum — set of courses and learning materialscurricula
- mother-tongue — first language learned at home in childhood
- reinstatement — return to a previous position or policy
- petition — a written request signed by many people
- criticise — say that something is wrong or not goodcriticised
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think teaching in the mother tongue helps students learn better? Why or why not?
- How could schools balance English instruction and local languages in your community?
- What effects might restoring English as the only language of instruction have on culture and knowledge access?
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