Introduction:
A few years ago, I visited a small public primary school in Oyo State. The Primary 3 teacher was trying to explain fractions in English. She wrote on the board:
“1/2 of 8 = ?”
The children sat silently, some fiddling with their pencils. She repeated the question in English, trying to simplify it:
“If you divide 8 into 2 parts, how many is each part?”
Still, blank faces. Out of frustration, she switched to Yoruba:
“Ẹyin ọmọ, ẹ̀ jẹ́ ká sọ̀rọ̀ ni tiwa. Bí a bá ní akara mẹjọ, a pin sí apá méjì, melo ni yóò wà ní kọọkan?”
(“Children, let’s speak in our own way. If we have eight pieces of akara and divide them into two parts, how many will be in each part?”)
Immediately, hands shot up. “Mẹrin, Aunty!” the children shouted in unison.
That was the breakthrough.
This little moment captures something Nigerian teachers and parents see every day: children understand better when taught in the language of their environment. Yet, in many classrooms, we insist on English-only instruction right from Primary 1.
Nigeria is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with over 500 local languages spoken across its states. But English is the official language of instruction, especially from upper primary upwards. This creates a tension: Should we prioritize English as the “language of progress,” or should we invest in our children’s home languages as the foundation of learning?
The truth is: we don’t need to choose one over the other. Instead, we must see local languages as a foundation for English, not as a threat to it.
In this blog post, we will explore how Nigerian primary school teachers can use local languages to improve learning outcomes, with real-life classroom strategies, policy context, and practical tips for overcoming challenges.
Why Language Matters in Nigerian Classrooms
Let’s be honest: how many of us grew up “cramming” definitions in English without really understanding them?
For example, a Primary 2 child in Ebonyi may learn:
- “A noun is the name of a person, animal, place, or thing.”
But if asked in English, the child might stammer. Yet, if the teacher explains in Igbo:
- “Noun bụ aha mmadụ, anụmanụ, ebe ma ọ bụ ihe.”
The child gets it instantly.
Language is the bridge to understanding. If the bridge is shaky (foreign), the child struggles. If the bridge is firm (local), the child crosses easily into knowledge.
Nigeria’s National Policy on Education (NPE) even recognizes this, recommending that:
“The medium of instruction in the first three years of primary education shall be the child’s mother tongue or the language of the immediate community.”
The policy is clear. But in practice, many schools—especially private ones—ignore this. Parents often see English as the only “respectable” language, while local languages are pushed aside.
Yet, research and real-life classroom experience show that starting with local languages improves comprehension, confidence, and later transition to English.
Real-Life Nigerian Classroom Experiences
1. The Maths Lesson in Yoruba
The story of akara and fractions in Oyo is not unique. Across Yoruba-speaking areas, teachers who switch briefly to Yoruba notice children relax and answer questions more freely.
2. Igbo Proverbs for Moral Lessons
In Anambra, a Primary 4 teacher uses Igbo proverbs like “Nwata kwụsịrị ịkpọ ọkpọ osisi, ọkpọ osisi ahụ akpọọ ya” (“If a child stops calling out to the tree trunk, the tree trunk will call out to him”) to teach about respect and consequences. When the same lesson is taught only in English, it lacks emotional weight for the children.
3. Hausa for Classroom Discipline
In Kano, teachers report that simple instructions like “Zauna lafiya” (“Sit quietly”) are far more effective than struggling to say “Keep quiet” in English to pupils who are just learning the language.
These examples show that local languages are practical teaching tools in Nigerian classrooms.
Practical Ways Nigerian Teachers Can Use Local Languages
1. Code-Switching
Teachers can explain a topic in English, then reinforce it in the local language. For example:
- English: “A verb is an action word.”
- Igbo: “Verb bụ okwu na-egosi ihe mmadụ na-eme, dịka ‘rie,’ ‘gbaa,’ ‘je.’”
2. Classroom Management
Daily instructions can be given in the local language:
- “Kuro n’ebe ahụ” (Move from there – Igbo)
- “Zauna” (Sit – Hausa)
- “Joko” (Sit – Yoruba)
This reduces time wasted on repetition.
3. Local Songs and Rhymes
Songs in Yoruba, Hausa, or Igbo are excellent for teaching counting, alphabets, and morals. E.g., “Eji ka ka ji re o” (Yoruba number rhyme) makes numeracy fun.
4. Translanguaging for Writing
Children can describe things in their mother tongue before translating to English. A Primary 3 child in Benue might write a short story in Tiv first, then gradually learn English equivalents.
5. Maths in the Language of Counting
Most Nigerian children first learn to count in their home language before English. Teachers can use this as a foundation:
- Hausa: “Daya, biyu, uku…”
- Yoruba: “Ọkan, meji, mẹta…”
- Igbo: “Otu, abụọ, atọ…”
6. Parents as Language Partners
By encouraging parents to tell folk tales and riddles at home in the local language, children’s vocabulary and comprehension improve—and parents feel included in their child’s learning.
Benefits for Nigerian Schools
- Better Comprehension: Pupils understand faster.
- Confidence: Children are less afraid to speak.
- Cultural Preservation: Our proverbs, idioms, and stories live on.
- Smooth Transition to English: Once children grasp concepts in their language, English becomes easier.
- Stronger Parental Involvement: Parents in villages who don’t speak English can still support homework.
Challenges in Nigeria
- Exams in English: From Common Entrance to WAEC, all major exams are in English.
- Multilingual Classrooms: Lagos schools may have Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Edo, Urhobo, etc., in one class.
- Teacher Training: Many teachers were not trained to teach bilingually.
- Parental Pressure: Parents often insist on English-only, believing local languages are “inferior.”
Solutions for Nigerian Teachers
- Start Early: Use local languages heavily in Primary 1–3, then gradually introduce English.
- Use the Dominant Language of the Community: If a class has many languages, use the most widely spoken (e.g., Yoruba in Lagos public schools).
- Explain Policy to Parents: During PTA meetings, remind parents that NPE supports local languages and that English will still be taught.
- Leverage Technology: Mobile apps and storybooks in Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa are now available. Teachers can use these to supplement lessons.
Nigerian Case Studies
- Edo State: Some public schools have piloted mother-tongue instruction with improved literacy scores.
- UNICEF in Northern Nigeria: Programs using Hausa as a foundation have increased reading comprehension.
- Private Schools in South-East: A few have started “Igbo Day” or weekly storytelling sessions in Igbo to boost cultural pride and language use.
A Vision for Nigerian Classrooms
Imagine a Primary 2 classroom in Enugu where:
- The teacher begins the day with a song in Igbo.
- Lessons are explained in both English and Igbo.
- Children read storybooks in Igbo before moving to English readers.
- Parents come on Fridays to share folktales and riddles.
- Exams test understanding first, not just English memorization.
Such a classroom would produce children who are both grounded in their roots and ready for the world.
Conclusion: “What You Learn in Your Language, You Never Forget”
There’s a Yoruba saying: “Ohun tí a bá kọ́ ni èdè ẹni, kì í gbàgbé ni rọọrọ.” (“What you learn in your language, you never forget easily.”)
Nigeria has everything to gain by embracing local languages in primary education. Teachers are the frontline soldiers in this effort. By speaking to children in the language they understand best, we build not just better learners, but prouder Nigerians.
To every Nigerian teacher reading this: Your chalk, your board, and your voice are powerful tools. Add your pupils’ home language to the mix, and you’ll see learning come alive in ways English alone cannot achieve.