By FABIAN EKERUCHE

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has called on the Federal Government to reconsider on the abolition of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in schools.

The General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of BSN, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, made the call on Saturday during a news conference in Lagos.

The news conference was held to announce the series of activities to mark its 60th anniversary, slated for Feb. 8, 2026.

Sanusi said the abolition of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in schools could undermine cultural identity.

He noted that language remained central to a people’s heritage and survival.

This issue is of concern to the BSN because it has spent six decades of making the Word of God available and affordable to Nigerians in their preferred languages and formats.

On the anniversary celebration, Sanusi said the theme of the event would be, “Celebrating Impact and Building a Legacy of Hope.”

“This theme reflects BSN’s six decades of making the Word of God available and affordable to Nigerians in their preferred languages and formats.

“BSN, founded on Feb. 8, 1966, carries out its mandate through Bible translation, publishing, distribution, fundraising and life-transforming engagement programmes,” he said.

According to Sanusi, BSN is a member of the United Bible Societies, a global fellowship of 155 national Bible societies operating in over 200 countries and territories.

He disclosed that BSN was currently working on 11 Bible translations and revision projects at different stages of completion across Nigeria.

The BSN general secretary said the anniversary programme would begin with a Bible Exhibition on Feb. 2, 2026, at the Lagos Bible Guest House, Palmgrove, Ilupeju.

He said the exhibition would feature rare Bible artefacts, including handwritten Bibles, Scriptures in Nigerian languages and the Legacy Bible, which weighed 15.4 kilogrammes and was presented in five languages.

Sanusi said: “There will be a Bible Walk on Feb. 3 from the National Stadium, Surulere, to Obanikoro.

“A Partners’ Appreciation Dinner and the dedication of a second studio for the Deaf Bible Translation Project in Ibadan would take place on Feb. 4.

“Foreign guests will arrive on Feb. 5 for a CEOs’ Conference scheduled to coincide with the anniversary celebration.”

He said that the Founders’ Day Lecture and Awards Ceremony would hold on Feb. 6, to be chaired by former President Goodluck Jonathan, with Pastor Poju Oyemade as Guest Speaker.

Sanusi added that a thanksgiving service would be held on Feb. 8, 2026, at The Covenant Nation, Lagos.

He also announced that BSN had produced a 13-episode documentary on its activities, to be aired on DOVE TV from late January or early February.

The BSN boss said a commemorative book titled, “Six Decades of Impact: Transmitting the WORD, Transforming Lives” would also be publicly presented.

Highlighting BSN’s achievements, Sanusi said Nigeria was the first country in Africa to establish a centre dedicated to Bible translation into sign language.

He disclosed that between 2014 and 2023, BSN translated and produced 222 Chronological Bible Stories in Nigerian Sign Language for the deaf community.

He said that the Book of Matthew of the Nigerian Sign Language New Testament had been completed, while work continued on other books.

According to him, BSN spent over N105.3 million on the Sign Language Bible Project between 2023 and 2024.

Sanusi said BSN aimed to complete the full Nigerian Sign Language Bible within 20 years, subject to availability of resources.

On Bible distribution, he said BSN distributed 7,870,296 copies of assorted Bibles in the last five years.

“BSN remains Africa’s leading Bible Society in Bible distribution for over two decades.

“According to the United Bible Societies’ 2024 Scripture Distribution Report, BSN accounts for 1.15 million out of the 5.45 million full Bibles distributed across Africa.

“The BSN also runs programmes such as Marathon Bible Reading, school Bible competitions, trauma healing, and humanitarian outreach for internally displaced persons,” the BSN boss explained.

Sanusi disclosed that the Macedonian Call project, launched in 2018, had benefited over 50,000 people in more than 20 IDP camps nationwide.

He said BSN planned to spend over N306 million on the project in 2026, subject to donor support.

Sanusi urged Nigerians to join BSN in celebrating 60 years of service, thanking God for sustaining the organisation through challenging times. (NAN)

Update news