Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has called on African parents to prioritize speaking their indigenous languages to their children as a vital step in preserving the continent’s cultural heritage and identity.
Speaking at a cultural symposium in Lagos, the renowned playwright and activist expressed concern over the growing abandonment of native tongues in favor of foreign languages, particularly English and French.
Soyinka stressed that modernization does not require cultural erasure and warned that the continued marginalization of African languages could have long-term effects on self-perception and education. He encouraged families, schools, and governments to invest in multilingual education systems that include indigenous language instruction.