US Scholar Urges Inclusion of Nigerian Pidgin in Schools, Calls It a Tool for Unity and Cultural Pride

A United States–based linguist, Dr. Foluso Okebiorun, has advocated for the inclusion of Nigerian Pidgin English in the national school curriculum, describing it as a vital cultural asset and unifying force that showcases the nation’s resilience and creativity.

Okebiorun, a former lecturer at Northshore Community College in Massachusetts and a former public school teacher in Lagos, made the recommendation in a study on Nigerian Pidgin usage. The research was first presented at the Society of Pidgin and Creole Languages Conference in the US in 2022 and later published in 2024.

She noted that while public attitudes toward Pidgin English differ, the language has evolved into an essential medium of communication across social classes and media platforms—highlighting BBC News Pidgin as a prime example of its rising influence.

“Nigerian Pidgin is more than just a language; it embodies our shared history, resilience, and creativity,” she said.

Her study, which analysed inscriptions on commercial vehicles in Nigeria, revealed that Pidgin expressions are often favoured over those in other languages for their ability to convey defiance, protest, humour, and wisdom—demonstrating the expressive richness of the language.

Okebiorun argued that Nigerian Pidgin has its own proverbs, idioms, and unique linguistic patterns, qualities of a fully developed language. She maintained that introducing it in schools would validate students’ lived experiences, enrich learning, and celebrate Nigeria’s linguistic diversity.

In a country with more than 500 languages, she added, Pidgin serves as a common tongue that bridges ethnic and regional divides. “It is time for Nigeria to embrace its linguistic reality,” she urged. “Including Pidgin in the education system will help preserve our cultural identity, promote inclusivity, and foster understanding among young Nigerians.”

She further recommended that Pidgin English be taught as a subject at the secondary school level and that efforts be made to create a standardised orthography for consistency and official recognition.

Okebiorun also called on policymakers, educators, and parents to view Pidgin not as a hindrance to English proficiency but as a bridge to it, noting its deep lexical roots in English. To address challenges of teaching materials and standardisation, she proposed collaboration among the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, linguists, and researchers to produce textbooks, dictionaries, and training resources for teachers.