On Wednesday 30th November, 2022, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a new National Language Policy which makes mother tongue a compulsory medium of instruction in all primary schools across the country.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education while briefing the State House correspondents at the end of the Council’s meeting presided over by Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja.

The Minister said: “A memo on national policy was approved by the council, and now Nigeria has a National Language Policy”. 

He said that instruction in primary schools and the first six years of education will be in the mother tongue as it will be combined with English Language from Junior Secondary School.

While explaining he further said that the decision has officially taken effect although it will require a lot of work to implement, as the use of mother tongue is exclusive and the government needs time to develop instructional material and provide qualified teachers.

He revealed that the mother tongue to be used in each school will be the dominant language spoken by the host community where it is located, nevertheless they will be taught other Nigerian languages of their choice and also international languages at a certain stage.

He said that pupils learn much better when instructions are in their own mother tongue during the first six years of learning. 

The objective of the new language policy is to promote, and enhance the cultivation and use of all Nigerian languages since we have 625 languages.

In addition the Minister said that the council approved a consultancy services agreement between the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Sigmac Technologies, a private company, to upgrade the JAMB portal.