Why I Teach Yoruba: From a Deep Love to a True Calling

By Abiola Akala

What began in 2023 as a passion for teaching Yoruba language quietly evolved into a transformative journey, reshaping my entire perspective on language, culture, and education.

Abiola

My Yoruba tutoring journey began with a small group of four students: Lola, Doyin, Samuel, and Yewande. Back then, they understood very little Yoruba and could not speak it at all.

I never knew those small first lessons would grow into such a big part of my life.

Interestingly, I still teach Doyin, Samuel and Yewande till date. One of the reasons they stayed was because they genuinely enjoyed the classes.

For me, that has always been important. I wanted my students to learn Yoruba without feeling that it was a burden. I wanted them to look forward to every lesson.

Watching their transformation has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Students who once could not speak Yoruba can now communicate in the language, hold conversations and express themselves much better. Seeing that progress has constantly reminded me why I started.

My challenges:

As an online tutor, network problems have sometimes disrupted lessons. Noise and distractions at home or in the learning environment can also make it difficult for students to concentrate.

There are times when technology does not cooperate, students have busy schedules, or keeping a learner motivated becomes challenging. I have had to learn patience, flexibility and creativity. I discovered that being a good tutor is not only about knowing what to teach; it is also about understanding the learner and finding different ways to make the lesson work.

My joy:

One of the biggest breakthroughs in my journey has been the power of referrals.
My students began recommending me to their friends, families, colleagues and neighbours. Some parents and learners who were happy with the progress they saw started telling other people about my classes. Receiving appreciation gifts from students and families has also been deeply encouraging.

These gestures may appear small, but to me, they are reminders that my work is making a difference.

More importantly, every recommendation tells me that someone trusts me enough to introduce me to another person.

Teaching Yoruba has also taught me that language is much more than words. It is a connection to identity, family and culture. For people living outside Nigeria, learning Yoruba can provide a stronger connection to their heritage. For children growing up in the diaspora, learning the language can help them communicate with relatives, understand cultural expressions and feel more connected to where their families come from.

This is one of the reasons I am passionate about making Yoruba learning enjoyable, practical and accessible.

My vision goes beyond simply teaching people how to pronounce Yoruba words. I want learners to be able to communicate naturally, understand cultural expressions, appreciate Yoruba traditions and confidently use the language in their everyday lives.

That vision is gradually taking shape through Agbeke Yoruba Academy, which I hope to grow into a recognised platform for learning Yoruba and embracing Yoruba culture, particularly for children, families and learners in the diaspora.

My journey has taught me that sometimes the greatest opportunities begin with something you simply love doing. I started with a few students in 2023. Today, those early students have become part of the story that continues to motivate me.

My dream is to reach many more learners around the world and show them that learning Yoruba can be enjoyable, engaging and meaningful.

For me, teaching Yoruba is not just a job. It is my contribution to keeping a beautiful language alive and helping the next generation connect with their roots.
And this journey is only beginning.

Agbeke Akala Abiola is a dedicated Yoruba language educator and the visionary founder of Agbeke Yoruba Academy. Based in Ogun State, Nigeria, she specialises in making the Yoruba language and its rich cultural heritage accessible to learners of all backgrounds.

PHONE: +2348034726548

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Views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of the Spynews