ISSN: 2349-2147 Modern Research Studies: An International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Modern Research Studies: ISSN 2349-2147 http://www.modernresearch.in Vol.4. Issue 1 / March 2017 78 The Teaching of English Language and Literature in English in Contemporary Nigeria: Applied-Linguistic Assumptions, Challenges and Prospects T. TERVER UDU Department of Curriculum & Teaching Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria E-mail: goldudu2013@gmail.com Abstract This article concerns itself with the teaching and learning of English language and literature in English in contemporary Nigeria. It provides an in-depth explanation on the conditions that encourage language learning and teaching, while examining the interdependence between language and other aspects of human life. A distinction among First Language, Second Language, Indigenous Language, and Official Language is made but more attention is on English as a second language. The article identifies and discusses language-induced, learner-induced, teacher-induced, and policy-induced conditions as the major challenges of English language teaching and learning, after which suggestions are made based on these challenges. Keywords: English language, literature-in-English, mother tongue, educational linguistics, challenges.