This study sought to determine whether there is a variety of Nigerian English acceptable as a teaching model to prospective Nigerian primary school teachers of different ethnic groups. Results indicate that: (1) contrary to common belief, there are Nigerians of different ethnic groups who speak a variety of English acceptable to other Nigerians of different ethnic groups; (2) there are Nigerians of different ethnic groups who, in an interview situation, speak a type of English cutting across ethno-regional lines; and (3) there is a variety of Nigerian English that may be phonetically standard because the majority of its speakers use standard native grammar, vocabulary, and approximate standard British phonology. The findings suggest that listeners' perceptions of features of speech associated with education, economic standing, and ethno-geographic origin might be more significantly related to acceptability than ethnic group and sex, and that factors related to speech delivery, such as pleasantness and interest level, might be even more strongly related. Substantial further phonetic analysis and research on variables affecting acceptability and intelligibility are recommended. (MSE)