Nigeria’s linguistic diversity should be treated as an educational resource rather than a challenge, language experts and education stakeholders have said.
The stakeholders spoke at the 5th Annual International Conference of the International Association of Language Educators, IALE, held at Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Graceful Onovughe Ofodu, Professor of English Language and Applied Linguistics, said Nigeria possesses significant linguistic resources that could be deployed to improve education.
Ofodu, who is also Dean of the Faculty of Education at Anchor University, Lagos, spoke on the theme, “The Question of Medium of Instruction in the Quest for Sustainable Education.”
She argued that Nigeria’s multilingual character should be viewed as an asset, rather than a problem requiring elimination.
“Nigeria is wealthy, linguistically. We are blessed with the concept of multilingualism,” she said, adding that linguistic diversity could provide valuable educational capital.
Ofodu, however, criticised what she described as policy reversals that have prevented the country from fully benefiting from its multilingual environment.
She also described the Federal Government’s recent reversal of its position on the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction as counterproductive.
According to her, Nigeria needs approaches that combine physical and digital methods, including translanguaging, semiotic approaches and digital language pedagogy.
She said decisions on the language best suited to support sustainable and quality learning must take into account the educational challenges of the 21st century.
Ofodu also urged language educators to move beyond conferences and publications by taking practical steps to address the consequences of language policy decisions.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of IALE President, Prof. D. O. Fakeye, Prof. Oyenike Adeosun said the conference theme was particularly relevant following the Federal Government’s announcement on indigenous languages as media of instruction.
Adeosun said the reversal had generated significant concern among education stakeholders, noting that the Nigeria Academy of Education had opposed the decision based on research supporting indigenous-language instruction at the lower primary level.
The Vice-Chancellor of Crawford University and chief host, Prof. S. O. Makinde, also criticised the cancellation of the 2022 National Language Policy.
Makinde argued that the use of a language in education was one of the strongest ways of developing and preserving it.
He said Nigerian languages should not only be used in schools but should also be developed for wider use in government and public institutions.
Prof. Nkechi Christopher of the University of Ibadan, however, challenged the commitment of Nigeria’s elite to mother-tongue education.
She questioned whether parents who advocate indigenous-language instruction would be willing to enrol their own children in schools where teaching is conducted primarily in local languages.
Christopher also identified inadequate investment as a major obstacle to improving both English-language and indigenous-language education.
She argued that policymakers must first define the competencies children should acquire at each level of education before determining the language strategies and resources required to achieve those outcomes.
Earlier, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Sola Aina, said the conference was designed to examine the most appropriate medium of instruction and produce recommendations capable of contributing to national development.
At the close of the conference, participants called on the government to preserve Nigeria’s linguistic diversity while urging language teachers to improve their proficiency and embrace international best practices.
