Yorùbá Teachers Demand Full Implementation of Indigenous Language Policy in Schools
By Exponent News, Akure – August 12, 2025
The Association of Teachers of Yorùbá Language and Culture, Nigeria, has called on the Federal and State Governments to urgently revive and fully implement the use of indigenous languages—particularly Yorùbá—as a medium of instruction in the teaching and learning of science and technology in primary and secondary schools.
Rising from its 49th National Conference held in Ilesa, Osun State, the association lamented that despite earlier policy pronouncements by the Federal Government—extending the use of mother tongue to Primary Six in 2022—the scope was controversially reduced in 2025 to only Nursery and Primary One, with no real implementation to date.
The conference stressed that countries like Japan and China achieved rapid development by teaching science and technology in their native languages and urged Nigerian authorities to follow suit. It called for making Yorùbá studies compulsory across all levels of education in Yoruba-speaking states, producing meta-language and textbooks for science in Yorùbá, recruiting professional teachers, and translating science publications into the language.
Delegates also argued that using Yorùbá in technical subjects would demystify complex concepts, spark student interest in sciences, and help preserve the language from extinction. They appealed for financial and logistical support from all tiers of government to make the initiative viable.
The conference concluded with gratitude to the Osun State Government, traditional rulers, and stakeholders for their support, while urging teachers and policymakers to “stand firm” in promoting indigenous language education despite challenges.
