LANGUAGE AS A UNIFYING TOOL FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

This study examines the role of language as a unifying tool for national development in Nigeria, with particular attention to the tension between English and indigenous languages. The objectives of the paper include: examining the role of language in national development, challenges in the selection of national language for nation building and proffering solution to the selection of national language in Nigeria. Adopting a qualitative design and theoretical approach, the paper draws insights from sociolinguistic, functionalist, and language policy frameworks to assess how language choice influences unity, cultural preservation, and national progress. The study reveals that English, though a colonial legacy, functions as a neutral medium for governance, education, and inter-ethnic communication, yet deepens socio-economic inequality and endangers indigenous languages. Indigenous languages, while embodying Nigeria’s cultural identity, face challenges of limited institutional recognition and ethnolinguistic rivalry. The paper contends that true national development requires a balanced multilingual policy that preserves indigenous linguistic heritage while utilizing English for accessibility and global relevance. It concludes that a democratic, inclusive language framework remains the most viable strategy for unity and sustainable development in Nigeria.