English Language, the Nigerian Education System and Human

Development

Juliana Chinwe Njoku

http://dx.doi./org/10.4314/ujah.v18i2.12

Abstract
The role English language plays in human development in Nigeria
is the focal point of this paper. Basically, language is the most
frequently used and the most highly developed form of human
communication. Through language, people interact, share ideas
and express their feelings. Without language, man would be
incapable of a sustained and result oriented thinking. Education is
unarguably an essential instrument for change and human
development. At different levels of schooling in formal education,
students are equipped with life-long knowledge and skills that
would enable them realize their full potentials as human beings.
However, all forms of education (formal, informal and non-formal)
are realized through language; hence, language and education are
inseparable. In the Nigerian polity, English language plays the
role of a second language, considering the multilingual nature of
the country. English is also the language of instruction in the
Nigeria education system. Not only is it the language of
instruction, it is also a compulsory subject and a yardstick for
evaluating a learner’s school performance. The normal
teachinglearning process thrives on effective communication
between the teacher and the learner. No matter how expertly,
learning experiences are selected and organized, the ultimate
objective of the teaching-learning exercise would not be achieved
if the language of instruction is unfamiliar to the leaner. This is

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where English language comes in. English language is

indispensable to education in Nigeria, thus, it is a veritable tool for
human development.
Keywords: English Language, Veritable tool, Human
Development, Education, and Nigeria

Introduction
Language allows people to develop a sense of self, and to interact
with others in the community. Language is the means through
which knowledge is transmitted. Every form of education; formal,
informal or non-formal is expressed and acquired through
language. Through education, man’s potentials are developed;
skills, knowledge and expertise that will enable man become more
productive and creative in his environment are acquired. Through
education man is equipped to engage in profitable ventures that
would earn him higher income and improve his standard of living.
Man is enabled to gain access to better health care and other social
services that add value to his life. Thus, education is regarded as a
powerful instrument for human and national development.

However, the issue of education cannot be discussed without the

language through which the concepts are expressed. Because no
matter how expertly the learning experiences are selected and
organized, the ultimate objective of the teaching-learning exercise
would not be achieved if the language of instruction is unfamiliar
to the learner. English is the language of education in Nigeria. It is
the language of instruction from upper primary education, through
secondary and tertiary education in Nigeria. The state of English as
a Second Language in Nigeria coupled with the numerous roles it

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plays, compels every Nigerian citizen to learn and to speak it. This
paper therefore submits that if English language is the medium
through which the concepts in education are expressed and
acquired, then, it is a primary instrument for human development
in Nigeria. English language has not only engineered human
development through education, it has also conferred on Nigerians
other significant privileges both on the home front and the global
scene.

Based on this back drop, the paper examines the role of formal
education in human development, the place of English language in
the Nigerian education system and the role it plays in human
development in Nigeria. The paper also examines the other benefits
literacy in English offers Nigerians. The paper concludes that the
relevance of English language in our nation cannot be neglected. It
is the foundation for all aspects of human and national
development. Therefore, efforts should be made to ensure that
literacy in English is attained by all and sundry in Nigeria.

Clarification of Concepts
The term ‘development’ simply means “growth”, ‘transformation’
or “positive change’. It is a progression from a low state to a much
higher state. Development has many aspects such as: economic,
social, environmental, political and human dimensions. All of them
interplay to create a balance that is needed for a sustainable earth.
Hence, Business Dictionary defines development as “the process of
economic and social transformation that is based on complex
cultural and environmental factors and their interactions” (web).
National development cuts across economic growth, attainment of

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economic targets such as: increase in Gross National Product

(GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These are indicators of
National Progress in many countries.

Human development on the other hand is about expanding the

richness of human life, rather than the economy in which human
beings live. Human development focuses on people. It is a process
in which man transforms himself and acquires the capacity to live a
better, more rewarding and fulfilling life.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Human

Development Report (HDR), defines human development as
“ability to lead long and healthy lives, to be knowledgeable, to
have access to resources needed for a decent standard of living and
to be able to participate in the life of the community” (web). The
process of human development should at least create an
environment for people, individually and collectively, to develop
their full potentials and to have a reasonable chance of leading
productive and creative lives that they value. Human development
is about improving people’s well being. It is about enlarging
people’s choices.

Although there is no comprehensive and concise way of measuring

human progress, certain factors are indicators to human
development such as:
- Reduction in poverty index
- Increase in access to education
- Increase in gross national income
- Increase in life expectancy

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- Gender empowerment and

- Access to social services needed for a decent standard
living.

Human development focuses on improving the lives people lead,

rather than assuming that economic growth will lead automatically
to greater opportunity for all. Human development agenda 2030 is
in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) 2030
which states that, there is a critical need for transformational
change in development, so that no one is left behind.

Education and Human Development

Education is defined as “the act or process of imparting or
acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning
and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself and others for
mature life” (dictionary reference. co). Inko-Taria, also defines
education as “a process of developing a person in all aspects of
life, to be able to function properly as an individual and be useful
to society” (P.30). From the above definitions, we can see that
education is a life-long process which enables the continuous
development of a person’s capabilities as an individual and as a
member of society.

Education can take three different forms: informal, non-formal and

formal. The focus of this paper is on formal education which is
associated with schooling. It comprises all forms of organized
learning experiences acquired by an individual in a school
structure, under the guidance of a teacher. Bergevin in Ezele
defines formal education as “systematically arranged educational

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programmes in which students are enrolled or registered to follow

established courses, either on full-time or part-time basis. The
programmes are normally held within the walls of institutions”
(12).

At the different levels of schooling in formal education, students

are equipped with life-long knowledge and skills that would enable
them realize their full potentials as human beings. They are taught
numeracy and literacy skills, citizenship, scientific, technological,
entrepreneurial and other skills that would enable them become
either employable in the world of work or become self reliant.
Students are also made to develop: reasoning ability, critical
thinking, autonomy, creativity, self direction, ability to make value
judgments and work co-operatively with others. (Njoku: p.97). We
can see from the forgoing that it is through education that man can
achieve growth and development. Through education people
acquire relevant skills that promote developmental efforts.
Education gives knowledge, expertise, skills and maximized
performance. It is a means of promoting self sufficiency and
independence.

The economic and social advantages of education cannot be over

emphasized. They include: faster growth of (GNP) Gross National
Production, higher family income, higher productivity, a more
skilled labour force, better wage employment, self employment and
so on. Good quality education enables people to transform their
lives and the society in which they live. Education raises income
levels and improves standard of living.

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Eyisi asserts that good education is the key to modernization and

development. Njoku and Izuagba concur to this by stating that it is
only through education and civilization that man can achieve
growth and development for himself and his community. The
quality of education in a country underpins the growth of
individual and national wealth and helps to drive economic
development. For each government, education is a long term
investment, but a citizen’s individual ambition is a prime factor.
Euromonitor report on Nigeria indicates that individuals regard
education as the best way to escape poverty. So, many Nigerians
aspire to be educated, hence we have educated professionals in
various fields of human activity. Through education, Nigeria has
been provided with a vibrant work force that can compete
effectively anywhere in the world.

The issue of education cannot be discussed successfully without

the language which serves as the medium of instruction. The skills
and knowledge which education provides for human development
will not be possible without the language through which the
concepts are expressed. This is where English language comes in,
because in Nigeria, English is the language of education. Since we
cannot talk about education without the language through which
the learning experiences are relayed, and English being the
language of education in Nigeria, one can therefore state
categorically that English language is a primary tool for human
development in Nigeria.

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The Place of English Language in the Nigerian Education

System
A good knowledge of the socio-political history of Nigeria will
enable one understand how English language came into Nigeria
and occupied a colossal position in the Nigerian education system.
Our country is made up of multilingual and multi-ethnic nationals
wielded together for the benefit of the colonial administration.
English language was then adopted as a language of necessity to
enable the British run their colonial government. Clarks and
interpreters were trained and those who wished to work with the
colonial masters strived to learn English.

The missionaries were the first to establish schools in Nigeria.

Their main aim then was to train people who will propagate the
gospel. When the British government took over the running of the
schools in Nigeria, they harmonized the subjects taught in the
different missionary schools. They also came up with a policy that
made English language a core subject as well as the language of
instruction in the 1882 and 1887 education ordinances (Njoku and
Izuagba: 2001).

Form this point, many Nigerians strove to learn English as

competence in it was a meal ticket. In fact it was a yardstick for
employment during the colonial era. After independence, the
Nigerian system of education did not change much from what it
was during the colonial era. English language remained the pivot
of education in Nigeria. It is the language of instruction from upper
primary education through secondary, to tertiary education in
Nigeria. It is the language through which all other subjects in the

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curriculum are taught. Not only is English language a compulsory

subject in secondary education, a credit pass in it is a compulsory
condition for securing admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Competence in English is seen as an index of academic,
excellence. Thus, it is a yardstick for measuring learners’ academic
performance. More so, before any student can graduate from the
tertiary institutions in Nigeria, they must pass the course Use of
English.

From the foregoing, we have seen that English language is the

bedrock upon which education in Nigeria is hinged. Suffice it then
to say that English is indispensable to education in Nigeria.

English Language and Human Development in Nigeria

Having identified education as a major tool in human development
earlier, it is essential to note that the language through which
education is acquired is also of utmost importance. As shown in the
last section, English is the language of education in Nigeria. Every
form of education is expressed and acquired through language. It is
through English language that formal education is acquired in
Nigeria. In other words it is through English language that the
skills and knowledge needed for human development is acquired.
Therefore, by extension, English language is a primary instrument
for human development in Nigerian.
The benefits of education (acquired via English language) are
enormous; they include: Improved social relations
- Better job opportunities
- Higher family income
- Higher productivity

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- Access to better health facility

- Improved standard of living
- Ability to participate in the life of the community

Besides these benefits, English language has conferred on

Nigerians other privileges that bear on human development as well
as national development, both on the home front and on the global
scene. On the home front, English language is essentially regarded
as a unifying factor. It has allowed Nigerians to co-exist peacefully
even in their diversity. It is this peaceful co-existence that
engenders development either on individual or national basis.

Considering the multilingual nature of the country, the

communication crises that would have occurred among people
from different linguistic background is bridged by the use of
English. It is possible for Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic
backgrounds, to study or work in any part of the country. The same
goes for teachers/workers who could also choose to teach/work in
any part of the country without fear of language barrier.

English language has advanced Nigerians economically. Locally,

people engage in trading and other business activities to increase
their economic power and improve their standard of living. This
has been successful because of the use of English. Globally, people
engage in international businesses facilitated by the use of English.
Again, the status of English as a second language in Nigeria has
attracted foreign investment. According to Euromonitor, the
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows from the English
speaking countries such as USA and UK are typically high in the

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countries that use English as their 2nd language. Thus, Nigeria has
benefitted in this regard because of their use of English. Examples
of such foreign investors are; Mobil, Shell, Nexen in the oil and
gas sector. Other sectors that are boosting the nation`s economy are
– information technology (IT) services, banking and
telecommunications. As stated in the Euromonitor:

Companies such as MTN communication and Microsoft

have found that both Nigeria and Pakistan offer a more
attractive business environment than many other countries
as a result of these countries higher levels of English
proficiency among other factors (8).

This confirms the fact that improved English language skills help
to attract more foreign investments. These investments in turn
create more job and career opportunities for Nigeria Euromonitor
report also confirms that Nigerians believe that learning English in
particular offers great opportunity for career advancement and
higher pay. In affirmation to this statement, Olofin opines, “Before
any Nigerian can occupy any position of eminence today, he must
be ‘English compliant’ ”. He further avers that promotions and
ability to advance one’s career through national and international
communication is tied to one’s education and particularly to one’s
ability to speak good English (137). This is in line with Osuafor’s
assertion that “people who could speak and write English had more
chances of being employed than those who could not” (23).

English language provides a link to the global world. Being a major

language of communication in the global world, it offers the people

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of this nation the benefit of participating in global affairs. Access

to adequate information is gained on a global level.
English language has also assisted technological development in
Nigeria. Ike avers that English language is the window to the world
of science and technology. It is the language used in space science
and computing technology. There is easy knowledge transfer now
in quantities and at speed unimaginable in the past. There is digital
communication of massive data bases via the internet, smart
phones, fax machines, television, print media and so on. One can
easily connect to databases anywhere in the world from the
comfort of our rooms. Although some innovations to technology
have negative effects, their advantages far outweigh the
disadvantages. Most organizations, industries and parastatals have
gone digital. It makes administration easy and provides easier
method for storing and retrieving information. Nigerians are active
participants in this digital world because of their knowledge of
English language. They are also able to read and interpret such
information or instructions enclosed in scientific literature and put
them into use.

Literacy in English language is very important to all round human

development in Nigeria. Anyone who wishes to be relevant in the
Nigerian polity as well as the global world should learn English by
all means. Therefore, a more functional approach should be
adopted for the effective teaching and learning of English language
in our schools.

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Theoretical Framework
This work is hinged on the theory of Community Language
Learning (CLL) developed by Charles Curran in 1972. Community
Language Learning is a language teaching approach based on
counseling techniques. Here, the hierarchical student- teacher
relationship is dispensed with and the counselor- client relationship
is adopted. The idea is to eliminate any sense of challenge or risk-
taking from the emotionally delicate client, which theoretically
would loosen him or her to learn a second language without
difficulty. In other words, it is an approach that alleviates anxiety
and threat and other personal problems a person encounters in
learning a second language

CLL was inspired by Carl Roger’s view of education; that all living
creatures are motivated to live up to their potentials, but human
beings are often impeded by their environment and personal
problems. Once the impediments are eliminated, the individual can
develop his full potentials. Thus, this theory is relevant to this
paper in the sense that when the impediments to the learning of
English are removed, Nigerians would learn it with ease and as
such develop their full potentials both as individuals and as
members of the society.

This approach emphasizes the use of meaningful conversations in

teaching and learning language in real communicative situations. It
democratizes the relationships between learners and teachers and
reduces anxiety. This paper strongly submits that the use of the
CLL approach in the teaching and learning of English as a second

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language in Nigeria would go a long way in improving and

entrenching the use of English in every segment of the society.

Problems of Teaching and Learning English Language in

Nigeria
Most often, language teachers at all levels of education in Nigeria
encounter many problems in their attempt at improving the
teaching and learning of English language. Some of the problems
include: lack of resources for language teaching, inadequate
knowledge of current trends in the teaching and learning of a
second language, inconsistencies in the language policy provision
on education, attitude and psychological problems on the part of
the learners and unprofessionalism in handling the subject. These
are just a few of the problems as space would permit.

For us to achieve good success in English language education,

these problems should be tackled headlong. For instance, the
teaching of English should be handled by professionals only; it
should not be open to ‘every comer’ in the teaching profession.
Again, the government should provide the needed resources for
teaching language in our schools. Such resources include text
books, tape recorders, flannel boards, interactive/magic boards, and
language laboratories and so on. On training of teachers,
Nwachukwu opines that “there is need to update knowledge and
skills in a world that is continually progressing in all spheres of
life, if not, we will find ourselves recycling information that is long
outdated” (64). So, teachers need to be exposed to current trends in
language teaching, they should also be exposed to all body of
knowledge, skills and resources that would enable them teach

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effectively the English language in our schools. As for tackling the

attitude and psychological problems of the learners, the use of the
CLL method would go a long way in restoring the confidence of
the learners as well as reduce their anxiety.

This paper strongly advocates that all the segments of the Nigerian
society should have equal access to effective teaching and learning
of the English language. The present dichotomy which exists
between students in urban and rural areas should be closed. If the
CLL method should be adopted by all language teachers, all
Nigerian students would be enabled to acquire adequate functional
and communicative competence in the use of English language,
irrespective of where they reside in the country.

The role of English language in the life of an average Nigerian is

quite immeasurable. For one to be relevant both in the Nigerian
polity and the world at large, one has to attain some level of
competence in the use of English language.

Conclusion
Many issues have been raised in this paper some of which are: the
communicative role of language, education as an instrument for
change and human development, the importance of English as the
language of education in Nigeria and the benefits of literacy in
English to both human and national development. The paper
concludes that the knowledge, skills, and expertise gained through
education are only made possible by the language through which
they are acquired. Hence English language and education in

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Nigeria cannot be separated. They both work together to bring

about human and national development in Nigeria.

Again, English language has not only advanced Nigerians

educationally, it has also advanced them socially, politically,
economically, technologically and otherwise. It has conferred a lot
of privileges on Nigerians both on the home front and the global
scene.

Juliana Chinwe Njoku

Alvan Ikoku Federal
College of Education, Owerri
[email protected]

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