Nigerian musician and cultural advocate Charles Onyeabor has spoken out about the importance of native languages in Africa. He argues that speaking English fluently does not make someone intelligent.

Instead, he believes intelligence should not be measured by language skills but by knowledge and reasoning.

Onyeabor pointed out that many Africans have been taught to believe that speaking English well means they are smart. However, he strongly disagrees with this idea. He said:

“Perfect English is not a mark of intelligence; it’s a mark of linguistic ability.”

He criticized Africans who can’t speak their native languages fluently but feel proud of speaking English. He believes people should take pride in their cultural roots rather than a foreign language.

Onyeabor also compared Africa to other countries like France and Italy, where people prioritize their native languages. He said Africans should not see their local languages as less important. While learning other languages is good, it should not come at the cost of losing one’s own.

He also pointed out a double standard in how Africans see language. Foreigners who try to speak African languages are praised, but Africans who struggle with English are mocked.

He believes this mindset should change. Instead of criticizing people for not speaking English well, he suggests people should start asking:

“You can’t even speak your language?”

Onyeabor’s message is clear—Africans should take pride in their languages and stop seeing English as a measure of intelligence. Instead, they should celebrate their linguistic heritage and preserve their native tongues for future generations.