Policy Without Action: Scholars Demand Urgent Enforcement of Indigenous Language Education Across Nigerian Schools

Child development researchers and linguistic experts have long established that early childhood education conducted in a pupil's primary native language significantly enhances conceptual comprehension, critical reasoning, and psychological well-being before transitioning into secondary instruction in English. Despite explicit provisions within Nigeria's National Policy on Education recommending native-tongue instruction in early foundational years, enforcement across public and private schools nationwide remains largely dormant.

Prof. Balogun, who also serves as Special Assistant to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Administration, cautioned that collective neglect from parents, state institutions, and academics could permanently alienate future generations from their socio-cultural roots.

Alongside the strategic discourse on language policy, the Nigerian Academy of Letters conferred prestigious honors on several distinguished personalities for their exemplary service to humanistic development and nation-building:

• Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi: Invested as Honorary Fellow for enduring efforts in communal stability and cultural preservation.
• Prof. Ephraim Lucas: Admitted as Honorary Fellow in recognition of his significant contributions to academic advancement.
• Prof. Emeritus Femi Osofisan: Honored with the Distinguished Life Fellow Award, reserved for academic patriarchs who have dedicated decades of service to the humanities.
• Tunde Kelani: Awarded the NAL Award of Excellence in Humanistic Practice for his pioneering cinematic work preserving indigenous Nigerian languages and folklore.

As policymakers ponder these recommendations, stakeholders maintain that prioritizing native language learning in early school curricula remains an indispensable key to modernizing Nigeria's educational architecture while safeguarding its rich national identity.