OLUWO SEEKS YORUBA LANGUAGE AS MEDIUM FOR TEACHING SCIENCE

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has called for the use of Yoruba as a language of instruction in teaching science, arguing that indigenous languages should play a stronger role in Nigeria's education system.

The traditional ruler's position highlights the importance of making scientific knowledge more accessible to students by teaching complex concepts in a language they understand and use in their everyday lives.

He believes that the Yoruba language can serve as an effective medium for explaining scientific principles, particularly at the foundational levels of education. Such an approach, if properly developed, could help students understand scientific ideas without allowing language barriers to limit their learning.

The proposal also draws attention to the broader need to preserve indigenous languages and strengthen their relevance in modern education. Supporters of mother-tongue instruction argue that children can develop stronger foundations when learning begins in familiar languages.

However, adopting Yoruba for science education would require the development of standardised scientific terminology, suitable textbooks, trained teachers and teaching materials that maintain accuracy across different levels of learning.

Nigeria's multilingual environment also means that similar approaches would need to consider other indigenous languages in different regions.

Oluwo's call has therefore renewed discussions about how indigenous languages can contribute to scientific learning, educational development and cultural preservation.