Strategies for Promoting Multilingualism and the New National Language Policy in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is a multilingual country with over 500 indigenous languages, yet efforts to establish a national language have remained inconclusive and often controversial. These attempts have led to the classification of languages into major and minor, marginalizing many ethnic groups. In 2022, the Federal Government introduced a new National Language Policy aimed at revitalizing endangered indigenous languages and promoting multilingualism through an additive language model. This paper critically examines the policy’s objectives and evaluates the strategies it adopts to promote multilingual competence, including mother tongue-based instruction, curriculum integration, and community-based language initiatives. It further interrogates the national language question within Nigeria’s complex sociolinguistic context. The study highlights the policy’s potential to foster linguistic inclusion and cultural preservation while identifying challenges to its implementation. The study concludes by offering recommendations for government, stakeholders, and citizens toward realizing the goal of sustainable multilingualism in Nigeria.