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1. Introduction Introduction According to reports by UNESCO and the World Bank, children who begin their education in their mother language demonstrate higher proficiency in math, science, and literacy than those taught in a second language. This highlights the crucial role of native languages in early childhood education and overall academic performance. However, despite these findings, many languages in Africa remain undocumented and under-utilised, particularly among minority groups. This lack of integration in education systems presents significant learning barriers, making it difficult for children from these communities to compete globally or keep pace with their peers in countries where native languages are actively used in education. Incluedu Africa launched the Language Integrated Learning Program (LILP) campaign in commemoration of International Mother Language Day (IMLD) to create awareness of the preservation and promotion of African mother languages. The campaign aimed to highlight the importance of native languages in education, learning, and daily communication. Through various activities and research, we gathered insights into how native languages are perceived, used, and taught, while also addressing the barriers that hinder their integration into formal education. 2. Campaign Activities & Engagement The LILP campaign was structured around interactive activities designed to assess and promote the use of mother languages across Africa. These activities included: a. Awareness & Social Media Campaign ● An online campaign was launched to educate people about the importance of preserving and promoting native languages. ● A partnership with influencers was established where they took over Instagram and documented their activities demonstrating how local languages can be actively used in daily interactions. b. Language Sampling Research & Community Engagement A survey was conducted where participants were asked to introduce themselves in their mother language through a short video. Responses were received from: Yoruba language speakers (who also shared insights on the multiple dialects within the language). Igbo language speakers from Southeastern Nigeria and Edo speakers from Southern Nigeria. Wolof speakers from Senegal. Igala language speaker from Kogi State, Nigeria. Zulu speakers from South Africa (discovered that Isi-Zulu is also spoken in Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania). Krio speakers from Sierra Leone explained that Krio is an English-based Creole language that serves as a lingua franca in their country. 3. Key Findings & Insights During the campaign, we discovered several crucial facts that highlight the urgent need to promote mother languages in education and daily life: 1. Lack of Confidence in Using Mother Languages: Many Africans are not confident in using their mother tongue in daily life due to societal pressures and the prioritization of foreign languages. 2. Impact of Colonial Languages: Due to colonization, most Africans speak multiple languages but prioritize English, French, or Portuguese over their native tongues. 3. Decline of Local Languages in Education: Lower comprehension levels due to unfamiliar vocabulary in foreign languages. 4. Increased learning difficulties as students struggle to grasp concepts written in languages they barely understand. 5. Reduced engagement and confidence in academic settings. 6. Limited preparedness for global advancements, especially in STEM fields. 7. Urbanization: Migration to cities often leads to language loss as people adopt more widely spoken languages for economic and social mobility. 8. Government Policies: Some governments enforce official languages while neglecting or even banning native languages in schools and public life. 9. Lack of Intergenerational Transmission: Parents do not teach their children their local language, which leads to a gradual disappearance of the language. 10. Technological & Media Influence: The dominance of certain languages in the media and digital platforms limits the exposure of minority languages. 4. How LILP Addresses These Challenges Incluedu Africa’s Language Integrated Learning Program (LILP) is designed to counteract the decline of mother languages by making it a pedagogical tool in education. Through this initiative, we aim to: ● Develop mother language as a learning tool in classrooms. ● Enhance cognitive development and productive learning for children. ● Prevent the decline of native languages in Nigeria and across Africa. ● Advocate for policies that integrate local languages into school curricula. ● Encourage daily use of native languages in homes, schools, and workplaces. 5. Next Steps & Recommendations To sustain the momentum of the LILP campaign, Incluedu Africa will: a. Expand community engagement by partnering with educators, linguists, and cultural organizations. b. Emphasize structured learning materials that integrate local languages into different subjects. c. Encourage training teachers to effectively use mother languages as an instructional medium. d. Collaborate with government bodies to push for policies that support mother tongue-based education. e. Encourage digital content creation in native languages to promote language preservation among the younger generation. 6. Conclusion The LILP campaign on International Mother Language Day was a success, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities surrounding mother language preservation in Africa. Through awareness campaigns, research, and community engagement, Incluedu Africa has reinforced its commitment to ensuring that language is not a barrier but a tool for empowerment and education. We invite educators, policymakers, and community leaders to join us in this mission to ensure that future generations embrace, preserve, and celebrate their mother languages. Together, we can make learning easier, preserve African heritage, and create an inclusive education system!