Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has strongly advocated for the preservation of Nigeria’s indigenous languages. Speaking in Lagos at the unveiling of Yorùbá: A Tonal Language Homophones by Bankole Awosika, he noted that native languages are the bedrock of the nation`s history and cultural identity. Dr. Alausa emphasized that safeguarding Nigeria`s rich linguistic diversity goes far beyond mere communication. At the launch held at Moonstone Hall, Billings Way, Ikeja, he noted:"The preservation of our indigenous languages is not merely about communication; it is about preserving history, identity, knowledge systems, and our collective heritage." The newly unveiled publication by Awosika—a linguist with decades of scholarship—dives deep into the tonal structure of the Yoruba language. It provides practical breakdowns of pronunciation, vowels, consonants, and the cultural philosophy underpinning Yoruba expressions. Nigeria boasts over 500 indigenous languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries globally. However, these traditions face the threat of extinction due to rapid urbanization and declining generational transmission. THENEWSCREDIT reports that,the Minister`s endorsement of cultural preservation comes amid shifting educational frameworks. The federal government recently reversed its mother-tongue instruction mandate in primary schools, opting instead to make English the sole medium of instruction in order to boost global competitiveness and standardized learning outcomes. Despite these curriculum changes, government officials and language advocates continue to stress that intellectual and community-level investments in native language books remain essential resources for protecting Nigeria`s linguistic traditions. Representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, along with literary enthusiasts and the Awosika family, echoed these sentiments. They urged researchers, schools, and cultural organizations to adopt the new text as a valuable tool to keep future generations connected to their roots.
