Translanguaging as an Effective Tool for Promoting the Use and Contribution of African Languages to Formal Education: the Nigerian Case

Abstract

As in many sub-Saharan African countries, language policy in Nigeria is essentially a continuation of the legacy that was bequeathed to it from colonization, highly favouring the use of English in official domains, including in education. In practice, English remains the main language of instruction in Nigeria at all levels of formal education and is considered the ‘language of success’ because of the socio-economic opportunities it procures. This policy has however proved ineffective because it continues to marginalize a great number of the Nigerian population rather than equipping it to contribute to development. Since good and effective education remains the best means by which people are empowered to participate in their personal and national development and that this is better achieved through an efficient use of mother tongues, we argue in this paper for the adoption of translanguaging approach in formal education in Nigeria and offer country-specific implementation strategies.