The English language is the language of formal education in Nigeria. For some time now, students’ performance in the language at public examinations has been very unsatisfactory to the stakeholders in education. A linguistic problem is one crucial contributing factor. The research methodology combines two data gathering instruments: the questionnaire and examination of respondents’ written essay. The paper discovers that Nigerian pidgin is a linguistic force to reckon with as its co-existence with the all important English language requires a clinical attention by all: especially; the government, curriculum developers and teachers. Those who formulate policy on education would need to plan for the Nigerian pidgin, not only in order to arrest the ever sliding performance of students in English language, but also to improve it.
Keywords: English Language, Formal education, Nigerian pidgin, Students performance, co-existence, linguistic problem
