Prof. Aderonke Soetan of the University of Ilorin has called on government and education stakeholders to give priority to mother-tongue instruction at the early stages of learning.
She made the appeal during the university’s 295th Inaugural Lecture, titled “Unlocking Learning and Instructional Resources,” delivered on Thursday in Ilorin.
Soetan described education as the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values and habits that enable individuals to contribute meaningfully to society, both within and beyond the classroom.
She explained that education helps unlock learners’ potential, noting that learning outcomes are largely influenced by the environment and the methods used in delivering instruction.
According to her, instructional resources such as models, charts, real objects, drawings, pictures and pebbles stimulate learners’ senses and enhance understanding.
She stressed that these materials are most effective when they align with learners’ language and cultural background, as culturally appropriate resources spark interest and promote deeper learning.
Soetan noted that mother-tongue-based instructional materials improve comprehension and help preserve indigenous languages, particularly Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
She added that modern teaching methods now incorporate e-learning, mobile technologies, assistive hearing devices, 3D animation, virtual reality and digitisation, among other innovations.
The professor urged educational technologists and curriculum developers to create culturally relevant instructional materials in indigenous languages to improve learning outcomes and protect Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.