The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, has called for the adoption of Hausa Language as the medium of instruction in primary and secondary schools across Northern Nigeria.
 
Bago said this move would tackle the region’s high rate of out-of-school children and encourage greater enrolment in formal education. He recommended that English be taught only as a subject, rather than the medium of instruction in primary and secondary education across the North.
  
Speaking at the National Literary Colloquium held on Tuesday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of literary icon, BM Dzukogi, founder of the Hilltop Arts Foundation, Bago highlighted the importance of language in education. The event was held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.
 
He further urged the governors of the Northern states to review the education curriculum and adopt Hausa as the language of teaching in the region, saying it would address the school enrolment problem in the region.
 
Bago said: “Adopting Hausa as the language of instruction in northern schools could significantly enhance the learning experience, promote enrolment, and foster a deeper understanding of subjects among pupils and students.”

“If this policy could reduce the number of out-of-school children in our region, I believe it is a change worth considering.”

Bago argued that teaching in a local language like Hausa would bridge gaps in comprehension and academic performance, especially for students in the region who may struggle with English.
    
“The challenge we face is that many children cannot fully understand the lessons when taught in English, a language they are not familiar with. By using Hausa as the medium of instruction, we could make learning more accessible and improve academic outcomes,” he added.