Obong Of Calabar Urges Revisit Of Ban On Local Languages

The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V, has appealed to the federal government to reverse its decision banning the use of indigenous languages in Nigerian schools.

The monarch’s stance was conveyed by the chairman of the Obong of Calabar Executive Forum, High Chief Gershom Henshaw, during a media briefing in Calabar yesterday ahead of Otum Obong cultural celebration scheduled for December 15, 2025.

“The federal government should reconsider its decision to ban the teaching and use of local languages in our schools.

“It is not acceptable and will cause confusion,” Chief Henshaw quoted the Obong as saying.
The ban, announced by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa on November 12, 2025, has sparked widespread outrage. The Obong described the policy as “culturally damaging” and “unsustainable”.

“What becomes of those who studied these languages in our universities, hoping to teach future generations?

“It is simply obnoxious to prohibit indigenous languages in our education system,” the Obong added.

The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed a law mandating local language use in schools, and several ethnic groups have protested the policy.

The Obong noted that the policy is opposed by various groups, including those from Edo State, the Ibibio nation, and the Efik Kingdom.

“How can we be told that our children should no longer learn their mother tongue or that it shouldn’t be used to teach?

“The federal authorities must realize that our language is our identity, our history, and our strength,” the Obong said.

The Obong recalled UNESCO’s establishment of International Mother Language Day, citing the importance of mother tongue.

“If UNESCO, a global organization, recognizes the importance of mother tongue, then our federal government must reflect deeply on its decision,” he insisted.

The Utomo Obong celebration, scheduled for December 15-20, 2025, will feature cultural contests, a royal golf tournament, and the conferment of Efik chieftaincy titles on 17 eminent Nigerians.

A special day during the festival will be dedicated to speaking Efik language, with participants required to speak at least a word or phrase in Efik.