FEC approves mother tongue instruction being required in all primary schools

A new National Language Policy that mandates the use of the various mother languages as the principal medium of teaching from grades one through six have been adopted by the Federal Executive Council.

Adamu Adamu, the minister of education, informed reporters at the State House that the policy is effective right away.

The government, he said, is conscious that its implementation would be challenging, but it is essential to encourage the development and usage of all Nigerian languages.

He said that as of right now, there are 625 languages in the nation, leaving 29 languages extinct.

He said that the mother tongue would be the exclusive medium of instruction for the first six years of school, and then English would be added beginning in junior high.

Even though the policy is now in force, according to Adamu, it can only be fully implemented after the government creates teaching materials and there are competent instructors available.

He went on to say that each school’s mother tongue would be the language that was most often spoken in the neighbourhood where it was located.

On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council met under the presidency of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Physically present were several cabinet ministers as well as vice president Yemi Osinbajo.

The ministers include Muazu Sambo, minister of transportation; Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture; George Akume, minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs; Abubakar Malami, minister of justice and attorney general of the federation; Adamu Adamu, minister of education; Abubakar Aliyu, minister of power; and Timipre Sylva, minister of petroleum.

Others include Umana Umana, the minister of Niger Delta issues, and Adeniyi Adebayo, the minister of trade and investment.