PRESS RELEASE
The intent of the mother-tongue policy aligns with global best practices which affirm that children learn faster, comprehend better, and build stronger cognitive foundations when educated initially in their first language. Beyond educational efficiency, such a policy strengthens national identity, promotes cultural pride, and prevents the gradual extinction of Nigerian languages—an integral part of our intangible heritage
NANTAP believes that rather than discarding the mother-tongue policy, the nation should invest in strengthening the systems that support it. Language is not just a tool of communication; it is the vessel of our worldview, values, and collective identity. Protecting it is protecting the Nigerian soul… We call on the Federal Government to reconsider the reversal and instead collaborate with professional bodies, cultural institutions, and educators to make the policy workable and impactful. The future of Nigerian children—and the survival of our cultural heritage—depends on decisions we make today
THE National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) expresses its concern over the recent reversal of the Federal Government’s Mother-Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) policy. As an association deeply rooted in the preservation, promotion, and creative expression of Nigerian cultural identities, we believe this policy—when properly understood and effectively implemented—holds immense value for national development.
The intent of the mother-tongue policy aligns with global best practices which affirm that children learn faster, comprehend better, and build stronger cognitive foundations when educated initially in their first language. Beyond educational efficiency, such a policy strengthens national identity, promotes cultural pride, and prevents the gradual extinction of Nigerian languages—an integral part of our intangible heritage.
However, we acknowledge that the controversy and eventual reversal of the policy may have stemmed from communication gaps, inadequate sensitisation, and insufficient capacity among implementers and stakeholders. It is on this note that NANTAP calls on the Honourable Minister of Education to intensify training and re-training programmes for teachers, administrators, curriculum developers, and cultural educators to ensure accurate understanding and proper execution of culturally aligned educational policies.
NANTAP believes that rather than discarding the mother-tongue policy, the nation should invest in strengthening the systems that support it. Language is not just a tool of communication; it is the vessel of our worldview, values, and collective identity. Protecting it is protecting the Nigerian soul.
AREAS OF COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENT
- Curriculum Support & Resource Development: Assisting in the creation of culturally grounded learning materials, dramatized content, children’s theatre modules, and storytelling frameworks in various Nigerian languages.
- Capacity Building & Teacher Training: Facilitating workshops, theatre-in-education sessions, and language appreciation programmes to equip teachers with artistic and culturally relevant methods of delivering lessons.
- Community Engagement & Sensitisation: Using Theatre for Development (TFD) approaches to enlighten parents, school communities, and local stakeholders on the benefits of mother-tongue learning.
- Cultural Preservation Initiatives: Partnering with government to document, archive, and promote Nigerian languages through performances, festivals, and digital cultural projects.
- Monitoring & Evaluation Support: Participating in consultative forums to track the impact, challenges, and successes of language-based educational policies.
NANTAP reiterates that policies promoting indigenous languages are not threats to national unity or global competitiveness. Rather, they position Nigeria as a culturally confident nation capable of engaging the world from a place of identity, dignity, and intellectual strength.
We call on the Federal Government to reconsider the reversal and instead collaborate with professional bodies, cultural institutions, and educators to make the policy workable and impactful. The future of Nigerian children—and the survival of our cultural heritage—depends on decisions we make today.
- Signed by Adeniran Makinde, fta, National President, NANTAP; [email protected]; 08023355244