DEVELOPMENT DRIVEN LANGUAGE POLICY TOWARDS A TRANSFORMATION OF NIGERIAN SOCIETY

Abstract

This paper focused on development-driven language policy towards transformation of the Nigerian society, considering in clear terms of the complex linguistic setting of the nation. Sequel to the lukewarm attitude of governments over the years, the paper evaluates the value of an effective languages education policy and implementation to the development of nations across the globe. On the foregoing, the work identifies the low level of technology and science development in Nigeria as a product of purposeless approaches in language policy making and implementation. The paper observes that, little or no functional language policy exists in Nigeria even at over 55 years of independence. Nigerian languages ought to be central to societal development and should occupy an important place in the development discourse. In line with these and many more, the paper recommends that government should organize public enlightenment campaigns in the rural areas as the need arises and use the indigenous languages to sensitize the masses on the policies and programmes that should be of interest to them, government should make use of the media houses, especially the electronic media, in disseminating vital information to the people in the rural areas through the indigenous language sessions as an instrument of rural social mobilization and rural social transformation.