Socio-politico – Pedagogical Problems of Language Teaching in Nigeria

The languages spoken in Nigeria do not only play significant roles in the socio-political life of the country, but also help in no small measure to unify or integrate the country that is so much diverse in all spheres of life. In realizing these multiplicity of roles the languages play in the country, the Government instituted and enacted a policy called language policy to control and plan the use, teaching and learning of the various languages that we have in the country. The languages are of three categories- the indigenous ones that are about 450, the official one used for official purposes, which is English, and those that enjoy Foreign Language status, that is, Arabic and French. All these languages co-exist in the country. However, the Government policy on the use, teaching and learning of these languages is bedeviled with a lot of problems which range from inadequate materials and personnel to handle the teaching of the recommended ones in the policy to socio – political problems initiated and propagated by the various groups in the country. It is thus recommended that the Government of the Federation should revisit the policy on languages in the country, rework it to accommodate the socio/politico-cultural differences and realities of the nation in order that the country may tap and enjoy the intent benefits of the multiplicity of languages and cultures that the nation is endowed with.