Nobel Laureate and iconic literary figure, Professor Wole Soyinka, has made a renewed call for Nigeria to urgently promote its indigenous languages and cultural heritage, describing them as fundamental tools for national identity and sustainable development.
Speaking on Monday, May 19, 2025, during an interactive session with journalists at the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Soyinka emphasized that preserving local languages and cultural practices is not just an artistic endeavor but a socio-political necessity.
His remarks were part of activities marking the institution’s inaugural Cultural Week, aimed at celebrating Nigeria’s cultural plurality and interrogating its evolving identity.
“A people’s language is a repository of their history, their worldview, and their essence. When we lose a language, we lose an entire system of thought, expression, and creative wealth,” Soyinka said passionately.
Soyinka lamented the rapid decline in the use of indigenous languages across Nigeria, attributing it to colonial legacies, societal neglect, and an elite-driven preference for foreign tongues, especially English.
“In the last census of languages, Nigeria had over 300 distinct languages. That number continues to shrink due to erosion, negligence, and shame. Our children are growing up unable to speak their mother tongues. That’s a tragedy,” he observed.
He argued that while the acquisition of global languages like English, French, and Arabic is useful for international diplomacy and business, it should not come at the cost of sidelining native Nigerian languages such as Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Tiv, Urhobo, and others.
The Nobel Laureate, who won the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature, stressed the need to modernize traditional Nigerian cultures and languages to keep them relevant in today’s world. According to him, cultural practices do not need to be frozen in time to remain authentic—they can evolve to serve modern needs without losing their essence.
“We must invest in translating science, literature, and innovation into our languages. Let our children dream, think, and invent in their mother tongues. Only then can true national development happen from the grassroots up,” Soyinka stated.
Soyinka also called on policymakers, particularly in the education sector, to mandate the use and teaching of Nigerian languages in schools from primary to tertiary levels. He urged the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Education to revise the national curriculum to prioritize indigenous language proficiency.
“Language should not be ornamental. It should be functional. We must use it to teach, write, and conduct research. That is how to safeguard our heritage and instill national pride,” he added.
He further advocated for the integration of local history and cultural studies in educational syllabuses as a strategy to counter the identity crisis and social dislocation faced by many young Nigerians.
Reacting to Soyinka’s remarks, Dr. Folake Adediran, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Lagos, said the literary icon’s warning aligns with global trends where languages are disappearing at an alarming rate.
“Losing a language means losing songs, folktales, idioms, medicinal knowledge, and a way of life. UNESCO estimates that a language disappears every two weeks. Nigeria is especially vulnerable because of our multiethnic fabric and lack of language policies,” she said.
Similarly, Professor Aliyu Danlami, a linguist from Ahmadu Bello University, noted that while government interest in promoting Nigerian culture has increased, the implementation remains poor.
“We need more than slogans during cultural festivals. We need investment in language technology, teacher training, and cultural content creation in Nigerian languages.”
With the advent of digital media and artificial intelligence, Soyinka also called for innovative approaches to language preservation. He urged young Nigerians and tech entrepreneurs to build apps, games, books, and AI tools in local dialects.
“Let’s not wait for others to preserve our stories. We have the tools now—use TikTok, YouTube, Instagram. Tell Nigerian stories in Nigerian voices,” he said, pointing to the rise of digital oral storytelling and podcasting in Yoruba and Hausa.
As Nigeria continues to search for a unifying national identity amid growing ethnic and cultural tensions, Soyinka’s call serves as a timely reminder that a nation without a cultural foundation is like a tree without roots.
Promoting local languages and culture is not merely a sentimental mission—it is a strategic one, vital for peacebuilding, creativity, economic growth, and national pride.
The onus now lies on the federal and state governments, educational institutions, and cultural stakeholders to act on these recommendations, lest Nigeria loses the soul of its heritage to apathy and modernization without direction.