The Founder of the African Indigenous Language Film Festival (AILFF), Osezua Stephen-Imobhio, has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to abolish the mother-tongue education policy, describing the action as a major setback to Nigeria’s cultural preservation efforts. 

In a statement issued in Lagos, Stephen-Imobhio argued that attributing poor academic performance to the use of indigenous languages is misguided. He noted that the real challenges confronting the education sector include chronic underfunding, decaying infrastructure, inadequate learning materials and overcrowded classrooms.

He likened the government’s position to “blaming the roots of a tree for the gardener’s neglect,” stressing that the policy reversal weakens cultural identity and disrupts the intergenerational transmission of knowledge.

“The true measure of progress is not how well our children imitate foreign models, but how confidently they carry their own identity into the world,” he said. “To strip a child of their mother tongue is to rob them of cultural pride and belonging.”

As part of efforts to counter what he termed the growing marginalisation of African languages, Stephen-Imobhio announced that the 3rd African Indigenous Language Film Festival will hold from December 3 to 5, 2025, at Freedom Park, Lagos.

This year’s edition, themed “Thread of Culture: Weaving Inclusion Through Filmmaking,” will feature film screenings, panel discussions, and workshops highlighting the relevance of indigenous languages in contemporary storytelling. A keynote lecture will be delivered by Prof. Innocent Uwah, a respected scholar of film ethics and representation.

He added that the festival aligns with the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, also marked on December 3, to broaden conversations around inclusion, accessibility and diverse cultural expression across Africa.

“AILFF is more than a film festival — it is a cultural conscience,” he noted. “Our languages are not relics. They are vibrant vessels of creativity and innovation that must shape our future.”

Stephen-Imobhio urged government agencies, cultural institutions, corporate organisations and creative industry stakeholders to support efforts aimed at preserving indigenous languages.

“This is a defining moment. We cannot be spectators at the silent funeral of our own languages,” he warned.

About AILFF
The African Indigenous Language Film Festival, founded by Stephen-Imobhio, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Africa’s linguistic and cultural heritage through cinema. The festival serves as a platform for filmmakers, scholars and cultural advocates committed to advancing linguistic diversity and authentic African storytelling.