Judul : Nigeria's Language Policy: A Cultural Genocide?
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Nigeria's Language Policy: A Cultural Genocide?
In a remarkable action, Nigeria's National Council of Education has effectively muted the voices of its citizens by abolishing mother tongue education, undermining the languages that BBC Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba services have diligently promoted. The Akure decision, a clear neglect of Nigeria's diverse linguistic legacy, has raised concerns among experts about whether the nation is intentionally distancing itself from its cultural identity.
What is confusing is that numerous individuals involved in this decision, including the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, are proficient in their native languages yet refuse to allow upcoming generations to study theirs. It's possible that a misguided allegiance to a foreign language has made the minister more inclined to favor English over the languages that embody our identity and heritage. It's a sad contradiction that those responsible for molding young minds are now supporting a neo-colonial agenda that has historically robbed Africa of its cultural strength.
The head of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria, Prof. Gideon Omachonu, has labeled the change in the National Language Policy as both an educational failure and a moral error. He reminded the government that the 2022 policy resulted from years of research and extensive discussions across the country, involving academics, educators, and cultural organizations. However, his caution might not be heeded, as in a nation where truth-tellers are frequently overlooked, leaders seem satisfied to function as tools of colonial influence instead of protectors of national identity.
The current state highlights the long-overlooked history curriculum, which has yet to be completely revived. Although today's leaders are aware of the nation's past, the younger generation is raised without a connection to it. This intentional silence might be intended to hide Nigeria's origins and the shortcomings of both colonial and post-colonial rule. It's no surprise that the country continues to lag behind and is still seen as underdeveloped, since only by comprehending the past can a people link it to the present and influence their future.
The decrease in the use of Nigeria's native languages can be linked to the colonial period. Starting in the late 1800s, English was implemented as the language used for administration and missionary education, giving it a structural benefit and making it the language associated with status and social advancement.
Following independence, the National Policy on Education, initially released in 1977 and consistently revised, formally advocated for instruction in the mother tongue during the initial primary years. In reality, though, English continued to prevail past the early grades, restricting the scope and influence of local languages.
In November 2022, the federal government endorsed an enhanced NPL, mandating instruction in the mother tongue throughout all primary school years. Although it showed potential, implementation was inconsistent, impeded by insufficient resources, limited teacher preparation, and a lack of strong political support. Currently, disputes regarding the policy have escalated, leading to the Akure ministerial decision that effectively revoked the NLP.
Recent research shows a significant drop in the ability of Nigerian children to speak their native languages. In Calabar, only approximately 31 percent of students between the ages of six and 13 are fluent in an indigenous language, while a national survey found that only 30 percent of the youngest children can speak their mother tongue. In Oyo State, less than 16 percent of children speak only their native language, with most using English exclusively or in combination with their mother tongue. This indicates that roughly 70 percent of children have already stopped using their indigenous languages. It is clear that the government now aims for all Nigerian children to speak English, completely replacing their mother tongue.
This is further supported by UNICEF and World Bank research indicating that young students attain better literacy and reading results when taught in their native language rather than solely in English.
The latest decision by the minister overlooks this evidence. Similarly concerning is the insufficient infrastructure for education in indigenous languages: only a few of Nigeria's languages have established curricula, textbooks, and qualified instructors, as reported by NERDC and documents from the LAN.
This is regardless of the fact that the decline of Nigeria's native languages stems from various interconnected reasons.
English became the language of administration, law, and higher education due to colonial and post-colonial policies, which granted it lasting respect and status. Various governments have overlooked native languages, offering minimal financial support for course content, instructional resources, or teacher development in hundreds of indigenous languages.
Urbanization and internal migration have led to multilingual settings in cities, where children frequently speak English more than their native languages. Parental and elite attitudes also support this shift, as English is perceived as the key to social advancement. Media and economic influences exacerbate the issue: television and online content are predominantly in English, with local language programming mostly restricted to news updates instead of culturally engaging content that could help preserve linguistic traditions.
The latest rejection of the Kilba language curriculum highlights this institutional prejudice. Kilba, which is spoken in five of the 21 local government areas in Adamawa State, was suggested for integration into school curricula but rejected by the NCE as "unnecessary" due to its status as a minority language. This demonstrates how the very organization tasked with safeguarding Nigeria's linguistic diversity has instead driven it deeper into obscurity. Is it referred to as the Ministry of Education, or the Ministry of English?
As the BBC Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba services grow to connect with listeners in their native languages, raising the profile of these languages, the Nigerian Ministry of Education is actively working against them. Although these services continue to focus mainly on news and information rather than full cultural programming, there is proof that Europe values local languages in enhancing media coverage, cultural impact, and economic participation.
If individuals outside the language recognize its potential to support their media and cultural goals, does that not indicate that Nigeria is unable to see how language can foster social, cultural, and economic growth? If the reason is not colonial, what other explanation accounts for the Nigerian government's reluctance to support native languages, despite foreign entities using them to educate, influence, and engage with local populations?
Nigeria is not the sole country with multiple languages, and other nations provide insights into how language policies can reinforce identity while maintaining international connection.
In China, the government has made significant investments in Mandarin, while also promoting local languages in educational institutions and media, allowing linguistic diversity to flourish alongside national unity. In India, bilingual systems are in place, where regional languages continue to serve as official mediums of instruction in numerous states, with English being introduced as a second language to enhance global competitiveness. Gulf countries intentionally maintain Arabic while utilizing English for economic opportunities.
The examples mentioned demonstrate that language policy doesn't have to be an either-or situation between global usefulness and local culture. Nigeria's move to stop using native languages in favor of English is a political decision, not something that had to happen.
To address years of oversight and safeguard the country's linguistic legacy, the government needs to take strong action. The 2022 NLP should be restored right away, along with a step-by-step, fully supported implementation strategy.
The NERDC and state education authorities require sufficient financial support to create educational materials, textbooks, and teacher development programs for indigenous languages that are considered a priority.
Curricula for minority languages, like Kilba, need to be recognized, and resources for communities with endangered languages should be prioritized. An independent review of language materials in different regions should be initiated within three months to spot deficiencies in instruction, content, and qualified staff. Goals should also be established for local-language broadcasting and cultural content on public media, including collaborations with BBC local-language services and other channels.
Encouraging native languages offers distinct benefits. Students who learn in their native language tend to have better reading skills and mental development, and language helps reinforce cultural identity, maintain historical knowledge, and promote community unity.
Indigenous languages also allow communities to participate more completely in governance, education, and technology, promoting economic and social growth. Neglecting these advantages weakens Nigeria's cultural legacy and hinders advancement, causing children to lose touch with their past and sense of self.
Education serves as a means of empowerment, and teaching in the native language is not only a fundamental right but also an effective means for advancing social, cultural, and economic progress.
The Akure ruling represents a political decision that prioritizes a foreign language over Nigeria's diverse linguistic future, wiping out years of advancement and hindering education. Nigerians should urgently call for the revival of the 2022 National Language Policy, assistance for regional languages, and complete enforcement. The government's refusal indicates it dismisses national development.
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