Nigeria: No, Nigeria's Northern Governors Have Not Rejected English As the Language of Instruction in Schools

No, Nigeria's northern governors have not rejected English as the language of instruction in schools

IN SHORT: A claim is circulating on Facebook, saying that Nigeria's northern governors have rejected English as the medium of instruction in their schools. Niger state governor Mohammed Bago has suggested adopting Hausa as a regional teaching language, but there is no evidence of an official decision or policy on the matter.

A Facebook post claims that Nigeria's northern governors have rejected English as the language of instruction in schools in the northern part of the country.

"Northern governors reject English language as an instruction medium in Northern schools," reads the Facebook post. The post has gained significant attention, sparking debates among users.

English was introduced to Nigeria by British merchants and Christian missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries. Missionary schools emphasised English as a core subject.

This claim has also been posted on Facebook here and here. (Note: See more instances listed at the end of this report.)

But is this claim true? We checked.

False!

When Nigeria gained independence in 1960, English was adopted as the official language in an attempt at ensuring national unity and facilitating administration. It remains the primary medium of instruction in schools across the country and is constitutionally recognised alongside other major Nigerian languages, such as Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.

Africa Check searched online but found no credible news sources reporting on an official statement or policy indicating that northern governors have rejected English as the language of instruction in schools.

Instead, reports point to a statement made by Niger state governor Mohammed Bago during a literary festival.

Bago suggested that Hausa could be considered a regional language of instruction in primary and secondary schools in northern Nigeria. He argued that adopting Hausa could improve school enrollment and enhance students' understanding.

Although reliable outlets such as Daily Trust reported this, there is no evidence of a collective decision by northern governors to abandon English as the language of instruction in schools.

Bago's proposal was not an official statement and has not been adopted by other governors in the region. He was expressing a personal opinion, not a policy endorsed by his counterparts.

The same claim can be found here, here, here, here and here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.