Students and teachers receive ₦2.9 million for excellence in a mother‑tongue competition.

Oghenevwede Ohworiole in Abuja

Organisers of the “Raise Children Speaking Their Mother’s Tongue” competition, aimed at promoting indigenous languages among Nigerian children, have awarded N2.9 million to the top three students and their teachers.

The event was run by Shelta Impact Programme (SIP) in partnership with the Printrite Foundation for Sustainable Environment and Education (PFSEE).

SIP CEO Austin Igwe announced the prizes at the competition launch in Abuja. He explained that the contest is for children aged six to twelve, with first‑place winners receiving N1 million, second place N500,000 and third place N300,000.

Represented by COO Stanley Odum, Igwe added, “We are organising a mother tongue competition for school children, aged 06‑12. The first position will get N1 million with the coach (teacher) receiving N500,000. The second position will get N500,000 with the coach getting 250,000, and the third position will get N300,000 with the coach receiving N150,000.”

He said the goal is to encourage students to speak their mother tongue and reward the teachers who coach them. Participants can join by downloading the Shelta app and submitting a video clip of the child speaking in their native language.

Igwe described the competition categories as “mother tongue” and “from waste to wealth.” The former tests a child’s ability to speak their native language, while the latter rewards creativity in turning waste into value.

PFSEE Programme Coordinator Esther Afar noted, “This project is built on a simple belief: every Nigerian child is a superkid, regardless of background or circumstance.” She added that superkids carry their mother tongue with pride, see opportunity where others see waste, and view the future with creativity, confidence and purpose.

Afari continued, “At today’s launch, we are introducing two inspiring challenges: the live mother tongue challenge, because our indigenous languages—from Hausa to Igbo to Yoruba and beyond—are the heartbeat of our identity and heritage. Our children will show that brilliance shines brightest when it is rooted in culture. We are nurturing eco‑warriors who transform problems into solutions, and waste into value. What you see today is only the beginning. Superkids is where we start.”

Mr. Umar Abu, a teacher at Government Science Secondary School, Tunga Maje, Abuja, said students learn and understand better when taught in their mother tongue. He explained, “When students speak their mother tongue, they understand better what is being taught. They comprehend more, and they are able to achieve better results because it is in their own language.” He added, “There is no better way to keep children academically and otherwise better than using their mother tongue. Countries like China and Russia use their language and have advanced in technology.”

Faith Zirra, a participant from Redeemers Private Secondary School Living Spring, Karu Site, Abuja, who won the competition, said, “I feel happy and great because when I was in school, some of my classmates always told me I could not speak Hausa. I’m just dumb. And I’m here to prove that I can speak Hausa more than them.” She confirmed that she would like to be taught in her mother tongue and believes it will enhance her learning.