Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa unveiled the policy on Wednesday at the British Council’s Language in Education International Conference 2025 in Abuja. 

The two-day event, themed “Language, Education and Inclusion: Empowering Every Learner,” drew policymakers, educators, and experts from Africa, South Asia, and the UK.

Alausa stressed that while Nigeria’s local languages remain vital for cultural identity, English provides superior global competitiveness and learning outcomes. 

“The English language should be used to teach our students at all levels as a means of instruction,” he declared. “Over the years, the use of mother tongues in schools has contributed to poor performance in national examinations. 

The national policy on language has therefore been cancelled.”He cited research showing students taught primarily in English outperform peers in WAEC, NECO, and JAMB exams, calling the shift an evidence-based move away from “emotional attachment” to local languages. 

English, he added, serves as a unifying tool for Nigeria’s diverse population.The British Council pledged continued support for inclusive education in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Julian Parry, Regional Director of English Programmes, described language as “a bridge to inclusion, identity, and opportunity.” 

Chikodi Onyemerela, Nigeria Programmes Director, highlighted the Council’s Pan-Ethnic Classrooms Programme launched in 2015 to equip teachers with language-responsive, inclusive methods.