The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider its decision to abolish the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in Nigerian schools, warning that the policy could hasten the extinction of local languages and weaken the nation’s cultural identity.
The call was made by the General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of BSN, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, during a press briefing in Lagos on Saturday as part of activities marking the Society’s 60th anniversary. Sanusi expressed concern that several Nigerian languages have already disappeared due to limited usage and lack of institutional support.
He stressed that language is central to culture, identity and collective memory, adding that removing indigenous languages from classrooms sends a negative signal to younger generations.
“We want to call on the government to reconsider its abolition of indigenous languages as a medium of teaching in schools,” Sanusi said. “The death of a language is the death of a culture and the death of a people. Language is part of our identity, and we should be proud of it anywhere, any day and at any time.”
Sanusi recalled that the policy was announced in November by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the Language in Education International Conference 2025 organised by the British Council in Abuja. The minister had justified the move on the basis of poor performance in national examinations conducted by WAEC, NECO and JAMB.
However, the BSN chief disagreed, arguing that prioritising English over indigenous languages would not resolve mass failure in examinations. According to him, learning in one’s mother tongue enhances comprehension and builds strong foundational understanding, especially at the early stages of education.
“To us, this action will not encourage the growth and usage of our mother tongues. We should be proud of our languages. Prioritising English Language over our indigenous languages will not do us much good,” he said.
Drawing from the Society’s experience, Sanusi noted that BSN translates the Bible into local languages because many Nigerians do not fully understand English. He explained that access to education and information improves significantly when people are taught in languages they understand best.
He also urged parents and teachers to play their roles by teaching children their mother tongues at home and in schools, adding that government policy should complement, not undermine, community efforts to preserve language heritage.
Sanusi further observed that many countries adopt foreign languages for official communication without sacrificing their indigenous tongues, stressing that Nigeria can retain English while still protecting and promoting local languages.
Beyond language advocacy, the briefing also unveiled activities to commemorate BSN’s 60th anniversary, themed “Celebrating Impact and Building a Legacy of Hope.” Sanusi said the celebration would showcase the Society’s contribution to Nigeria’s cultural, social and spiritual development.
He disclosed that activities would include a Bible exhibition on February 2 at the Lagos Bible Guest House, featuring rare handwritten Bibles and a 15.4-kilogram Legacy Bible. Other events include a partners’ appreciation dinner and the inauguration of a second studio for the Deaf Bible Translation Project on February 4, as well as a CEO’s conference on February 5.
According to him, the anniversary will climax with the Founder’s Day on February 6, 2026. The Bible Society of Nigeria, founded on February 8, 1966, has translated the Bible into over 27 indigenous Nigerian languages.
Also speaking, BSN’s Manager of Administration and Chairman of the 60th Anniversary Planning Committee, Mr. Patrick Ohakawa, described the milestone as a celebration of resilience, faith and service.
“This 60-year milestone is not just about longevity; it is a celebration of faith, resilience, service and sacrifice. We are proud of the enduring impact we have made on the social, cultural and spiritual life of our nation,” Ohakawa said.
He added that the Founder’s Day ceremony would be chaired by former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, with Pastor Poju Oyemade of The Covenant Nation as guest speaker, while the celebrations would conclude with a thanksgiving service on February 8.
