By Adeola Badru

A group of Nigerian scholars has called on the Federal Government to reconsider the cancellation of the National Language Policy, expressing concern over its implications for education, culture, and national development.

The appeal was made at the fourth edition of the University of Ibadan Senior Staff Club monthly discourse, which brought together academics and stakeholders to discuss language and education in Nigeria.

Among those who spoke were former President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Francis Egbokhare; University of Ibadan scholar, Durotoye Adeleke; and Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Clement Kolawole.

The event, titled “Education in the Mother Tongue in Nigeria: To Be or Not to Be?”, examined the role of indigenous languages in learning and national identity.

In his keynote address, Egbokhare urged the government to review the decision, noting that Nigeria has historically maintained a framework supporting the use of indigenous languages alongside English in education.

He highlighted the importance of language in preserving cultural heritage and supporting learning, especially at early stages of education.

Other speakers also stressed that indigenous languages play a significant role in communication, cultural continuity, and social cohesion, calling for policies that encourage their use in schools and communities.

Adeleke expressed concern over the policy’s discontinuation, noting that many countries are promoting mother-tongue education as a tool for effective learning and cultural preservation.

Kolawole similarly emphasised the importance of local languages in national development, urging sustained efforts to strengthen their use in the education system.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary in the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Mrs Bamidele Oyinloye, called for broader reforms in the education sector and encouraged parents to promote indigenous languages at home.

The stakeholders collectively urged government to prioritise policies that support linguistic diversity, cultural identity, and inclusive education.