ABSTRACT:

To a country like Nigeria with over five hundred living languages, the relevance of language policies and planning, at least educationally, economically, politically and socially has never been in doubt. Indeed, attempts have been made in the past to harness the linguistic resources of Nigeria for national development. This paper therefore seeks to appraise and review the major developments recorded since 1979. Issues examined in the paper include legal provisions, steps taken by the government towards implementation of the National Policy on Education as it affects language. Having examined issues arising as a result of the multiplicity of languages, and efforts made to resolve the issues, the paper advises on appropriate strategies in order to ensure a materialization of the nation’s language policies.