An Overview of the Language Planning Situation in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines language planning and policy frameworks in multilingual Nigeria, where English operates alongside indigenous languages in the herculean task of nation-building. The adoption of English as lingua franca in the country, inspite of its alien origin and non-conformity with the socio-cultural nuances of communication therein, is informed by the benefits of the language to the nation, particularly when comprehensive and forward-looking language planning and policies are evolved for the country. In critical domains of nationhood, including social media, conventional media, education and governance, English is functionally potent in individual and group communication. Language planning in Nigeria reveals the sociolinguistic dimensions and implications of language issues; in this regard, phenomena such as the suppression of indigenous languages, language attitudes, divisive potential of language, ethnic resentments, government aparthy, criticisms on language policy frameworks, dominance of major Nigerian languages over minority ones, marginalization of languages and ethnic groups, proposals for good language planning/policies, fear of language loss, etc are brought to the fore. Exploring Morgan’s Speech Community Theory as a framework, this study concludes that language planning and policies in Nigeria should not only accommodate Nigeria’s multilingual realities, but should also be implemented with sincerity of purpose in line with the propects and constraints.