By Hadiza Musa
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has urged northern governors to reconsider the region’s education system by adopting Hausa as the primary language of instruction in schools.
He recommended that English be taught only as a subject, rather than the medium of instruction in primary and secondary education across the North.
Governor Bago made the call at the National Literary Colloquium in Minna, celebrating the 60th birthday of literary icon BM Dzukogi, founder of the Hilltop Arts Foundation.
The event was held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre.
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.
In his speech, Bago also emphasized the role of parents in supporting their children’s education.
He urged them to invest in books and other educational resources to expand their children’s thinking and reading habits.
“Promoting a reading culture is essential for saving future generations from the current societal challenges we face,” Bago said.
