Plain language

Why plain language#

English is Nigeria’s official language, but many people use other languages as their first language. Complex sentences and unfamiliar words can make content harder to understand and can prevent people from completing tasks.

Guidelines#

Use short and common words#

Opt for words that most people use in everyday conversations. Avoid complex words when a simpler word has the same meaning.

Keep sentences short#

Aim for an average of 15 words per sentence. Include one idea in each sentence. If a sentence needs several commas to make sense, consider splitting it into shorter sentences.

Avoid saying 'kindly'#

'Kindly' is usually overused in Nigerian corporate English. It increases the length of your UI text.

Avoid official language#

Avoid phrases like 'do the needful', 'same has been forwarded', 'as per', and 'revert' — words like these signal bureaucracy, and bureaucracy signals delay. Say the specific thing instead.

Front-load your point#

Place key information at the start of:

• sentences
• paragraphs
• pages
• screens. People using slow or unreliable connections may not see all content.

Write how you would say it#

Read your content aloud before publishing it. If the wording sounds unnatural when spoken, rewrite it.

Testing plainness#

Test your content with people who are not involved in creating it. Ask them to explain the information in their own words. Check:

• whether people need to read sentences more than once
• where people hesitate or get confused
• whether usability testing shows any problems

Use reading level tools as a guide. For general audiences, aim for content that most people can understand without specialist knowledge.

Related guidance#

• Nigerian English
• Error messages
• Inclusive writing