Reps seek establishment of Bola Tinubu University to teach Nigerian languages

The House of Representatives has advanced a new legislative proposal to establish the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages, a specialised institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Nigerian languages.

The bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and eight co-sponsors, passed its first reading last week, marking an important step in Nigeria’s effort to safeguard its linguistic heritage. According to the bill, the institution’s mission will be to “encourage the advancement of learning” and to offer an accessible path to higher education in Nigerian languages and cultures for all people, regardless of background or political beliefs.

This focus aligns with Section II, part I of the bill, stipulating that the university will
develop academic programs in Nigerian languages to provide “planning, adaptive, developmental, and productive skills,” as Kalu explained.
“The university’s goal is to produce socially mature individuals capable of using Nigerian languages for national development,” said Kalu.

The bill outlines that the university will confer a range of academic credentials, from diplomas and first degrees to postgraduate research and higher degrees, all aimed at equipping students with vital skills for personal and national growth.
In addition to its academic offerings, the proposed university will act as a “catalyst” in Nigeria’s social and economic arenas.

The bill would support postgraduate research and innovation and encourage the economical, effective, and sustainable use of Nigeria’s natural, economic, and human resources. The Deputy Speaker highlighted the institution’s future role in “establishing meaningful relationships with other national institutions” dedicated to language and cultural research. The university’s mandate, as set out in Section 1(2), includes the responsibility to “teach and train high-calibre Nigerian language professionals.”

The proposed institution will not only facilitate research and community outreach but also provide consultancy services to foster expertise in various Nigerian languages. This comprehensive approach aims to develop a strong foundation in language education and to expand outreach initiatives, such as in-service training and continuing education programs.

In its supervisory role, the President of Nigeria, who will serve as the “Visitor” to the university, is expected to conduct an institutional visitation at least once every five years to assess its functions and effectiveness. According to Section 14(2) of the bill, the President can also appoint third parties to conduct visitations, ensuring that all departments comply with their mandates. This structure aims to uphold accountability within the institution.

Moreover, the bill grants the President the authority to remove council members on grounds of misconduct or incompetence, with a provision for council recommendations made through the Minister. Section 15(1) reads, “If it appears to the council that a member… should be removed from office on the ground of misconduct or inability to perform… the council shall make a recommendation to that effect through the Minister to the President.” This clause safeguards the institution’s integrity and ensures that only capable individuals lead.

As the bill awaits a second reading and a subsequent public hearing, stakeholders are preparing to discuss its implications on Nigerian society and the preservation of cultural identity. The proposal comes at a crucial time, as Nigeria seeks to revive and protect its rich linguistic heritage, an asset that Deputy Speaker Kalu believes is central to the nation’s identity. In Kalu’s words,
“The establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages will foster national unity through the promotion of Nigerian languages, equipping future generations to appreciate and communicate effectively within our diverse cultural landscape.”