STRONG ADVOCACY FOR THE COMPULSORY INTRODUCTION OF ONE EXTRA NIGERIAN LANGUAGE TO COMPLEMENT ONE’S TRIBAL LANGUAGE

Abstract

This paper dwells on the strong Advocacy of compulsory one extra Nigerian language. The Nigerian Government at various times has proposed various forms of language policies to encourage and stimulate the growth and development of her over 400 Nigerian languages, in order to free its citizens from the yoke of an imperial language, i.e., English. Nigerian should learn how to speak at least one extra Nigerian language to ease and connect Nigerians. It even emphasized the use of mother tongue as it is our identity. Using observation method I observed that despite the fact that the language policy on education emphasized the use of mother tongue at these levels as a medium of instruction, the English language continues to dominate our indigenous language (mother tongue) because it has been adopted at the kindergarten and nursery school levels. As a way to protect Nigeria’s indigenous languages, there is need for proper implementation of the indigenous language policy in the kindergarten and nursery schools, not just being hypocritical about it. Consequently, a standard curriculum should be developed as well as utilized for this level and must be properly supervised by government agencies to ensure compliance and quality control. The paper concludes that implementing the policy on indigenous language teaching and use in the early child education stages can enhance nation building. When we see the need of embracing our indigenous language we will encourage ourselves to learn at least one extra language to add to our mother tongue and when we do that we will create an opportunity to make Nigeria one again.