In line with this year’s World Book Day theme, ‘Indigenous Languages,’ Bridge International Academies has emphasized the role of culture and native languages in enhancing learning outcomes. Celebrating the day, the academy highlighted the importance of books in linking learners to diverse opportunities and fostering cultural connections.

According to a statement by Bridge, World Book Day sheds light on the ways books can enrich young people’s lives, not only as sources of knowledge but also as vehicles for cultural identity and personal growth. Bridge urged for greater investment in literacy development, viewing it as essential for educational transformation.

Ezinne Tochie-Asogwa, the Academics Manager at Bridge Nigeria, noted that reading plays a crucial role in cultural linkage, especially through stories that reinforce identity. She explained that in Bridge Nigeria’s 46 schools across Lagos and Osun states, Yoruba—the native language of southwestern and central Nigeria—is a core part of the curriculum. Each week, students engage in Yoruba lessons tailored by experts and supported by resources that facilitate assimilation and retention. These sessions integrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities to deepen students’ connections to their cultural heritage.

Through these indigenous language programs, Tochie-Asogwa said, Bridge aims to help pupils preserve and understand cultural values that have been passed down for generations. Rigorous effort, she added, goes into selecting books and developing teaching materials that fulfill these cultural and educational objectives, strengthening the role of indigenous languages in Nigeria’s educational framework.