Minister calls for preservation of indigenous languages

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has called for greater efforts to preserve Nigeria’s indigenous languages, describing them as essential to protecting the nation’s history, identity and cultural heritage.

Alausa made the call at the launch of Yorùbá: A Tonal Language Homophones, a new book by renowned Nigerian author and linguist Bankole Awosika, held at Moonstone Hall, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

Commending the author for his contribution to Nigeria’s educational and cultural development, the minister described the publication as a timely intellectual work that highlights the importance of indigenous languages in national development.

He noted that preserving indigenous languages would help safeguard Nigeria’s cultural identity while ensuring that future generations remain connected to the country’s rich linguistic heritage.

The book explores the tonal structure of the Yoruba language through its homophones, providing readers with practical explanations of pronunciation, meanings, vowels, consonants and the cultural philosophy embedded in Yoruba expressions.

Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting indigenous languages through education and cultural initiatives, describing publications on native languages as valuable resources for future generations.

Guests at the ceremony praised Awosika for his decades-long dedication to Yoruba language scholarship, describing the publication as another significant contribution to preserving one of Africa’s richest linguistic traditions.

Speaking after the unveiling, event planner Mrs. Ebunoluwa Akinwale said the gathering celebrated not only a book but also the preservation of heritage and intellectual excellence.

Representing the family, the author’s son, Mr. Akinyinka Awosika, thanked dignitaries, friends and well-wishers for supporting the project and encouraged schools, researchers, cultural organisations and language enthusiasts to adopt the publication as a valuable educational resource.

The event featured the formal unveiling of the book, goodwill messages from distinguished guests, literary reflections and cultural performances celebrating Yoruba traditions. Nigeria is home to more than 500 indigenous languages, making it one of the world’s most linguistically diverse countries. However, experts have warned that many of these languages are facing the threat of extinction due to rapid urbanisation, increased use of English in formal education and official communication, migration, and declining intergenerational transmission.

To address the challenge, the Federal Government has consistently advocated mother-tongue instruction in early childhood education under the National Policy on Education, which encourages pupils in the first years of primary school to be taught in the language of their immediate environment before transitioning to English. Education experts say this approach improves literacy, learning outcomes and cognitive development while helping to preserve indigenous cultures.

International organisations, including UNESCO, have also repeatedly urged countries to promote multilingual education and invest in the documentation and preservation of indigenous languages, warning that the loss of a language also means the disappearance of unique cultural knowledge, history and traditions.