Yoruba newspapers’ publishers seek government’s intervention, support in preserving indigenous languages

Publishers of the two most popular indigenous language newspapers in Nigeria, Yoruba Tooto newspaper and Alaroye newspaper, Kunle Babarinde and Alao Adedayo respectively have called for the intervention of the President Bola Tinubu led Federal Government in preserving and promoting indigenous language in Nigeria. 

The call was made during the public unveiling of YORUBA NI TOOTO 3, an historical Yoruba language book which chronicles the histories of Lagos, Ogbomoso and Ede towns.

The book was dedicated in honour of President Bola Tinubu and the Adeleke family of Ede town on Thursday, 16th of April, 2026 at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos State.

At the event which also saw the unveiling of Yoruba Tooto Newspaper Cooperative’s Limited and also the swearing in of the Zonal executives of the Cooperative, Kunle Babarinde described the dearth of indigenous language in schools and homes as a very sad development.

He emphasized that he has been struggling to promote Yoruba language for the past decades, especially, through Yoruba Tooto newspaper but without the necessary backing from the federal government and the south west Governors.

The Publisher revealed that he founded the Yoruba Tooto Newspaper Cooperative Limited to fight for the promotion of Yoruba language while also empowering members to be self employed and self made.

He decried lack of support from the government, especially South West Governors who don’t patronize Yoruba language newspapers as they do to their English counterparts. He also called for the three major indigenous languages in Nigeria to be made compulsory in all the schools.

On his part, Chief Adedayo Alao, the publisher of Alaroye newspaper who was the “Book Reviewer” commended Kunle Babarinde on his initiative and efforts in promoting Yoruba language while also calling for government’s support in the promotion and preservation of Nigeria’s indigenous languages.

At the book launch were former Managing Director, Vanguard Newspaper who is presently the Provost, Nigeria Institute of Journalism,  Gbenga Adefaye who unveiled the book, Arole Aare Latoosa of Ibadan land, Chief Akeem Bakare, popular Prophet and founder of Melody FM radios in Lagos, Ibadan, Akure and Abuja, Prophet Sam Adebayo Ojo and his wife, Pastor Folasade Adebayo Ojo, Lagos State INEC Residential Electoral Commissioner, Prof Abayomi Salami represented by Dr Taiwo Gbadegesin who delivered a lecture on the roles of the masses in the coming general election, Managing Director, Heirs Insurance,  Oluwole Fayemi, popular Fuji singer, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, High Chief Adebowale Atoloye (CEO Mota Gold Oil And Gas), journalists, broadcasters, scholars from Nigerian universities and clerics.