Yoruba language at risk – Ondo Varsity don warns
By Boye Oyeyemi –
A professor of Yoruba language and dialectology, Temitope Olumuyiwa, has raised concern over the gradual extinction of the Yoruba language.
He blamed the government’s failure to implement the National Policy on Education and the negative attitude of some Yoruba people for the decline.
Speaking during the 47th Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Prof. Olumuyiwa warned that if urgent steps are not taken, non-Yoruba people might become the main teachers of the language in schools.
Paradoxically, he noted that many foreigners and non-indigenes are showing growing interest in the Yoruba language and culture.
The lecturer highlighted key challenges, including the non-use of mother tongue in early education, lack of Nigerian-language universities, and limited inclusion of local languages in tertiary courses.
He criticised the derogatory labelling of Yoruba as a “vernacular” and the negative attitudes from some teachers, which discourage students from studying the language.
Prof. Olumuyiwa expressed concern over parents discouraging children from speaking Yoruba at home, saying the younger generation increasingly prefers foreign languages.
The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, described inaugural lectures as opportunities to share years of research.
He commended Prof. Olumuyiwa for his contributions to knowledge and the university, calling for sustained efforts to preserve indigenous languages in Nigeria.
