Boladuro Lawson: Preserving our indigenous languages is a shared responsibility

Boladuro Joan Lawson

Some grew up with it. Some didn't have that privilege. It may be considered 'fly', but the question remains ", Is speaking your native tongue important or not?" Personally, I wish I were very fluent in Isoko. Having been brought up in the city, by default and my environment, I grew up speaking the English Language. To add to it, the educational system didn't help me with my native dialect.

Over the past months, I have been ruminating on what would have been different if I knew how to communicate in my native dialect. It is even more worrisome that, at the rate the world is changing, our indigenous languages may be going extinct.

As I put my pen to paper, I started looking for the best feature to speak on the dearth of our native dialects; many people came to mind and showed interest, but only Boladuro Joan Lawson granted me audience so far. She took it up. Recognised as Miss Law 2026/2027, this final-year Law student of Lead City University, Ibadan, is wise beyond her years. Her love for the French language made her pursue the course beyond certification. She created the environment for this dream schooling in a reputable French Institute. 

One interesting fact about Boladuro is that she is also a linguist. She sees language as all-encompassing. For her, languages bridge the communication gap, connect people, cultures and ideas. Within a short timeframe, she "picked up the call" from Omote Ro Dhe for a feature. Her interest and prompt responses are things I don't take for granted.

In this chat, she shares her story and everything you need to know, then delves into the crux of the matter, which is the basis of this feature- the dearth of native dialect and the way out. 

Read excerpt below:

Tell us about yourself. Who is Boladuro Lawson?

I am a final-year Law student at Lead City University, Ibadan, with a passion for learning, leadership, and languages. Throughout my academic journey, I have remained committed to excellence, a commitment that earned me the recognition of Miss Law 2026/2027. Beyond the classroom, I have been privileged to serve in various leadership roles, including as a Distinguished Senator of the World Law Students’ Association (WLSA), Vice President of the Law Students’ Association, Lead City University, Academic Director of the Aurum Clan Initiative, Campus Coordinator of the WALSA Female Forum, Assistant General Secretary of the Federation of African Law Students’ Association (FALAS), Bureau of Advocacy and Public Engagements, Coordinator and Host of the Legal Affairs Radio Show, and Head of Operations at Voices for Little Hearts. These experiences have helped me grow as a leader, communicator, and team player.

Although I am studying law, my love for French has been a constant throughout my life. I was introduced to the language at a young age and continued studying it throughout my primary and secondary school education, earning an A1 in my WAEC examination. When I began my law degree, I was excited to continue learning French during my first year, when it was offered as a borrowed course. That experience further strengthened my interest in the language.

After completing my 200 Level, I made the personal decision to pursue French beyond the classroom, not simply to earn grades, but to become genuinely proficient. That decision led me to enroll at Alliance Française, where I have continued to develop my language skills. Growing up speaking Yoruba alongside learning French has given me a deeper appreciation for the richness of languages and the cultures they represent. For me, learning French has been an exciting journey of growth that has broadened my perspective and strengthened my appreciation for different cultures.

Outside academics, I enjoy volunteering, legal writing, and reading. One of my proudest achievements is publishing my article, Exploring Copyright in the Nigerian Fashion Industry, on Mondaq. Whether I am writing, speaking, or learning a new language, I enjoy using communication as a tool to educate, connect with people, and make a meaningful impact.

Above all, I see language as more than a means of communication; it is a bridge that connects people, cultures, and ideas. That belief continues to inspire my interest in French and my desire to keep learning, growing, and contributing wherever I have the opportunity.

Nigeria is home to more than 500 indigenous languages, yet many are now considered endangered. From a linguist's perspective, what are the biggest factors driving this decline?

I believe one of the biggest reasons many indigenous languages are becoming endangered is that they are no longer being passed down from one generation to the next. Growing up, I was fortunate to have parents who intentionally taught me Yoruba from an early age. Speaking my native language was a normal part of life at home, and looking back, I realise how important that was.

Today, many children are raised speaking only English because parents see it as the language of education and opportunity. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it often means that children grow up unable to speak or even understand their native language. If one generation doesn’t learn a language, it becomes much harder to pass it on to the next.

I also think globalisation and urbanisation have contributed to this decline. As people interact more with different cultures and languages, there’s a growing preference for languages that are seen as more widely spoken or more beneficial. Unfortunately, indigenous languages are often overlooked in the process.

To me, preserving our indigenous languages starts at home. When families intentionally speak and teach their native languages, they’re not just preserving words, they’re preserving their history, identity, and culture for future generations.

When a language disappears, what exactly is lost beyond the ability to communicate? How does language loss affect a people's history, identity and worldview?

When a language disappears, what is lost goes far beyond the ability to communicate. A language carries the history, identity, values, traditions, and collective memory of its people. It tells the story of who they are, where they come from, and how they have understood the world across generations.

Language loss affects history because many indigenous histories, oral traditions, folklore, songs, and proverbs are preserved through language. Once a language is lost, much of that knowledge can be difficult or even impossible to fully preserve or translate.

It also affects identity. Language gives people a sense of belonging and connection to their roots. When younger generations are unable to speak their ancestral language, they may gradually lose that connection to their heritage and cultural identity.

Finally, language shapes worldview. Every language reflects a unique way of seeing and interpreting the world. Certain words, expressions, and concepts exist in one language but may not have exact equivalents in another. When a language disappears, we lose a unique perspective on life, nature, relationships, and culture.

We have seen this happen with languages such as Eyak in Alaska, whose last native speaker, Marie Smith Jones, died in 2008, and Bo in the Andaman Islands, whose last fluent speaker, Boa Sr., died in 2010. Their extinction represented not just the loss of words, but the disappearance of centuries of cultural knowledge, traditions, and a unique way of understanding the world.

English has become the dominant language in education, business and everyday life for many Nigerians. Is it possible to promote English while still preserving indigenous languages, and how can this balance be achieved?

Yes, I believe it is possible to promote English while still preserving our indigenous languages. English plays an important role in Nigeria because it is our official language and serves as a common means of communication in education, business, and across our diverse ethnic groups. However, promoting English does not have to come at the expense of our indigenous languages.

I believe the balance begins at home. As I mentioned earlier, I was fortunate to grow up in a home where my parents intentionally taught me Yoruba from a young age. While I learned and used English in school, Yoruba remained a part of my daily life. That experience showed me that it is possible to be fluent in English without losing your native language.

Beyond the home, schools also have an important role to play by encouraging the learning of indigenous languages, not just as subjects to pass examinations, but as languages to be spoken, appreciated, and celebrated. The media, literature, music, and technology can also help make indigenous languages more visible and relevant to younger generations.

I don’t think it should be a choice between English and our indigenous languages. We can embrace English for the opportunities it provides while intentionally preserving our native languages because they carry our history, identity, and culture. Being multilingual should be seen as a strength, not a limitation.

There is a lot of conversation around empowering girls, which is important. In your view, why is it equally important to pay attention to boys?

I believe it is equally important to pay attention to boys because building a balanced society requires investing in both boys and girls. While there has rightly been a strong focus on empowering girls due to the historical and societal barriers they have faced, we should also recognise that boys need guidance, mentorship, and opportunities to grow into responsible, empathetic, and confident men. Empowerment should not be seen as a competition between genders. If we want a society where everyone thrives, we must ensure that both boys and girls are equipped with the right values, education, and support. Boys who are taught respect, emotional intelligence, responsibility, and leadership from a young age are more likely to contribute positively to their families, workplaces, and communities. As a law student, I believe in fairness and equity. To me, that means creating opportunities that allow everyone to reach their full potential. Empowering girls remains essential, but paying attention to boys is equally important because a truly inclusive society can only be built when no one is left behind.

One book or film that changed your perspective?

One film that changed my perspective is Bon Dieu! Although it is widely known for its humour and its exploration of cultural diversity, the lesson that stayed with me was about accepting that life does not always unfold according to our plans. Throughout the film, Claude and Marie genuinely hoped that at least one of their daughters would marry a French man. They held on to that expectation for a long time, believing it was the outcome they wanted most. However, things turned out very differently. By the end of the film, they came to realise that their family was complete just as it was, and that their happiness did not depend on everything going according to their original plan. That changed my perspective because it reminded me that not getting what we want does not always mean something has gone wrong. Sometimes, life unfolds differently because there is a better outcome waiting, one we may not see at the time. It taught me the importance of embracing change, letting go of rigid expectations, and trusting that things can work out for the best, even when they don’t happen the way we envisioned.

Around the world, some endangered languages have been successfully revived. Are there lessons Nigeria can learn from these examples in safeguarding its own linguistic heritage?

Yes, absolutely. One of the biggest lessons Nigeria can learn is that language preservation has to be intentional. Countries like Israel and New Zealand have shown that when families, schools, communities, and governments work together, endangered languages can be revived. For Nigeria, I believe preservation should start at home by parents intentionally teaching their children their indigenous languages. Schools, the media, and technology also have a role to play in making these languages relevant and appealing to younger generations. I also think we need to stop referring to our indigenous languages as “vernacular.” That term often makes them seem less important than English. Instead, we should value them for what they are as languages that carry our history, identity, and culture. Promoting English and preserving our indigenous languages can, and should, go hand in hand.

What role should parents, schools, policymakers, the media and technology companies play in ensuring indigenous languages remain relevant to younger generations?

I believe preserving indigenous languages is a shared responsibility. Parents should be intentional about speaking their indigenous languages at home because that is where language learning begins. Schools should go beyond teaching these languages as examinable subjects and create opportunities for students to actively speak and appreciate them. Policymakers should develop and support policies that promote indigenous languages in education and public life. The media can help by producing more content in indigenous languages, while technology companies can make these languages more accessible through digital tools, apps, keyboards, translation services, and AI technologies. When all of these stakeholders work together, indigenous languages become part of everyday life rather than something that is only remembered or celebrated occasionally. That is how we keep them relevant for future generations.

Looking ahead, are you optimistic about the future of Nigeria's indigenous languages? What practical steps should Nigerians begin taking today to ensure these languages are still spoken by future generations?

Yes, I am very optimistic. I believe Nigeria’s indigenous languages still have a future because there is a growing awareness of the need to preserve them. More young people are showing interest in learning their native languages, and digital platforms are creating new opportunities for these languages to be seen and heard. Going forward, I think Nigerians need to be intentional about using their indigenous languages in everyday life rather than reserving them for special occasions or conversations with older people. We should take pride in speaking them, encourage younger generations to do the same, and see multilingualism as a strength rather than a limitation. If we make our indigenous languages a living part of our daily lives, I believe they will continue to thrive for generations to come.

A quote you live by:

All of us can’t be captains; some have to be crew. Whatever you are, be the best of it - Martin Luther King Jr.