This paper examines the tension between linguistic unification and language rights in Nigeria and assesses the nature, causes, and implications of the tension against the backgrounds of the country's history, political development, and language situation. (Contains 116 references.) (MDM)

Assesses Nigeria's efforts to achieve mother-tongue literacy for its citizens. Describes Nigeria's complicated sociolinguistic landscape, national language policies, and the Ife experimental project, studying the use of the mother tongue in primary schools. Points to nonlinguistic factors in educational success, including parental background,…