In a significant win for Nigeria’s education and communication landscape, the country has been ranked the fifth-best English-speaking nation in Africa, according to the 2025 Education First English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) — a global benchmark that evaluates English language skills across 123 countries and regions.

The annual report — compiled by global education leader Education First (EF) using data from 2.2 million English learners worldwide — measures proficiency in reading, listening, writing, and speaking, with this year’s edition introducing AI-powered assessments for the first time.

Nigeria’s performance places it 29th in the world and fifth on the African continent, trailing only South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Zambia in overall English proficiency. Despite fierce competition, analysts say this ranking underscores Nigeria’s continued mastery of English as the lingua franca of governance, education, business, and media.

International news outlets covering the index noted that English — Nigeria’s official language since independence — remains a strategic asset that enhances the nation’s global connectivity and economic engagement. Commentators have pointed out that while the ranking highlights success, it also reveals room for improvement, especially in writing and speaking skills compared with some peers.

Experts say Nigeria’s standing reflects not only institutional use of English but also the language’s role in shaping youth education, cross-border diplomacy, and international commerce. As continental leaders in proficiency continue to invest in language training and learning technologies, Nigeria’s performance this year signals a rising trajectory of linguistic competence with strategic socioeconomic implications.

This development comes at a time when global demand for English proficiency is surging, especially in education and global employment markets, making the EF EPI ranking an important indicator of future competitiveness.