General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Samuel Sanusi, has called on the Federal Government to reconsider the abolition of indigenous languages as a medium of teaching in schools.

Sanusi made the appeal at a media parley in Lagos to intimate the public of the 60th anniversary of BSN with the theme: ‘Celebrating Impact and Building a Legacy of Hope’, where he also announced that the anniversary programmes would commence February 2, 2026 with a Bible Exhibition at the Lagos Bible Guest House all through February 8, with thanksgiving service at The Covenant Nations Church. 

The scribe revealed other activities to include Bible Walk, dinner with partners, Chief Executive Officers Conference with foreign guests, and Founders’ Day lecture to be chaired by former President Goodluck Jonathan, with the Guest Speaker being Senior Pastor of The Covenant Nations, Poju Oyemade.

Sanusi recalled that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, at the Language in Education International Conference 2025, organised by the British Council in Abuja, announced the ban of indigenous languages as a result of failure in national examinations conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

ALSO, the Convener of Oodua Progressive Union Worldwide and Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has appealed to Alausa to reverse the policy of removing the usage of mother tongue as the language of instruction from the Nigerian Education Curriculum.
 
Speaking at the Oodua Progressive Union’s 12th World Congress in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, tagged “Empowering the Yoruba Homeland and Diaspora: Strategies for Growth and Development,” Adams disclosed that there is no great race in the world that neglects his language, saying the essence of education is to learn more about people’s race and language.

He stressed that the educational, cultural, and social benefits of mother tongue instruction in Nigeria are numerous, noting that removing it risks impairing students’ understanding and academic performance, especially in early education.
 
Adams added that eliminating mother tongue from the curriculum undermines efforts to preserve indigenous languages and cultures, leading to cultural erosion and loss of identity among younger generations.
 
He emphasised that for Nigeria to achieve inclusive, quality education and preserve its rich cultural heritage, mother tongue must remain an integral part of the language of instruction in the curriculum. 
 
Delivering his paper titled, ‘Empowering the Yoruba Homeland and Diaspora: Strategies For Growth and Development’, Head of Department, Yoruba Studies, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Dr Ibrahim Adegbayi, disclosed that empowering the Yoruba homeland and Diaspora is essential for sustainable growth and development, as well as strengthening the economy.
 
He stated that the Yoruba homeland has vast potential in agriculture, technology, creative industries, and commerce, as well as trade, while the Diaspora possesses capital, skills, and global networks.
 
Adegbayi explained that the Yoruba homeland and abroad would have to collaborate to develop the Yoruba land and communities, stating that economic empowerment requires strategies that facilitate the necessary development. 

Also speaking, Chairman of Ijebu-Ode 2026 World Congress, Olorogun Kayode Orenisi, explained that the programme comes at a pivotal moment when one needs to act and plan for the country.