The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially axed the mother tongue policy in schools, announcing that English will now be the sole medium of instruction across all primary and secondary educational institutions in the country.
According to The Punch, the decision was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Education, who cited the need for national unity, standardization of learning, and improved global competitiveness as reasons for the policy shift. The government emphasized that the change will take effect immediately, affecting public schools nationwide.
Vanguard reports that stakeholders in education, including teachers’ unions and school administrators, were largely not consulted before the announcement, sparking debates over the impact on children who previously received foundational instruction in their native languages. Critics warn that the policy could undermine local languages and cultural identity, particularly in rural areas where students may struggle to learn effectively in English.
The Guardian Nigeria notes that proponents of the shift argue that using English exclusively will strengthen Nigeria’s performance in international exams, enhance mobility, and reduce disparities between urban and rural schools. Meanwhile, parents and civil society groups have expressed concern over implementation challenges, including teacher preparedness and curriculum adaptation.
Premium Times reports that the government has pledged to train teachers and provide adequate learning materials to support the transition, but details on the timeframe and funding for this program remain unclear.
Sources
The Punch — “FG Scraps Mother Tongue Policy, Declares English Sole Medium,” Nov. 13, 2025
Vanguard — “Education Policy Shift: English to Be Sole Instruction Language,” Nov. 13, 2025
The Guardian Nigeria — “FG Drops Mother Tongue Policy, Sparks Debate,” Nov. 13, 2025
Premium Times — “Government to Train Teachers as English Becomes Sole Medium,” Nov. 13, 2025
