Straight for English as a Medium of Education in Nigeria

Towards enhancing quality and national development

Abstract

Within the Nigerian socio-linguistic and socio-political contexts, the English language plays many significant roles for instance, as a lingua franca, primary language, official language etc. Thus, it is the most important and the most effective means of communication in Nigeria. The pre-eminent position occupied by English over other Nigerian languages justifies Oyelaran’s (1982) opinion that, as long as a language plays crucial roles in every aspect of the daily life of people, it should be used as a medium of instruction especially when such use does not hinder the development of the indigenous languages. This paper therefore, examines the roles that the English language plays in the Nigerian body polity and postulates that the present educational policy be reviewed in favour of its use as a medium of instruction from the primary to the university level. This will enhance quality of education and national development in the country.