The House of Representatives has advanced a bill proposing the establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages, aimed at promoting the study and preservation of Nigerian languages and culture.
The proposed bill for the establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages highlights a strategic effort to preserve and promote Nigeria’s rich linguistic heritage. Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and others, this institution aims to foster education in Nigerian languages and cultures, offering opportunities for students of various backgrounds without discrimination.
According to Section II, Part I of the bill obtained on Saturday, provides that the university when established shall, “Encourage the advancement of learning and to hold out to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex or political conviction, the opportunity of acquiring a higher education in Nigerian languages and cultures.”
Additionally, the university aims to produce graduates equipped to use Nigerian languages for societal growth and engage in research, innovation, and postgraduate training to help harness Nigeria’s natural and human resources.
It is expected to collaborate with other national institutions engaged in language and cultural studies to advance Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.
Outlined responsibilities include providing Nigerian language training and consultancy services, conducting outreach programs, and supporting in-service training and continuing education.
Section 1(2) of the bill emphasizes that the university’s mandate is to develop professionals skilled in Nigerian languages, enhance communication in local languages for national unity, and support knowledge acquisition in these areas.
The federal institution, when established would also “Act as agents and catalysts, through postgraduate training, research and innovation for the effective and economic utilization, exploitation and conservation of Nigeria’s natural, economic and human resources.
“Establish appropriate relationships with other national institutions involved in training, research and development of Nigerian languages and cultures.
“Provide and promote sound basic training as a foundation for the development of Nigerian languages as well promote and emphasise teaching and research activities around Nigerian languages, including outreach programmes, in-service training, continuing education, and adaptive research,” among others.
The mandate of the university as spelt out in Section 1(2) includes “To teach and train high calibre Nigerian languages professionals.
“Provide Nigerian language services and consultancy.
“Conduct research and participate in outreach and community services and facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skills in different Nigerian languages.”
The President of Nigeria will serve as the university’s Visitor, with powers to conduct periodic visitations to ensure the institution’s operations align with its objectives.
Section 14(2) mandates that visitations occur at least every five years, allowing the President or designated representatives to examine the university’s activities.
The President who is the visitor to the university, in Section 14 (2), is required to “As often as the circumstances may require, not being less than once every five years, conduct a visitation of the university or direct that such a visitation be conducted by such person or persons as the visitor may deem fit and in respect of any of the affairs of the university.”
Sub-section 3 provides that, “It shall be the duty of the bodies and persons comprising the university to make available to the visitor and to any other person conducting a visitation in pursuance of this section, such facilities and assistance as he or they may reasonably require for the purposes of a visitation.”
Moreover, the President will have authority to dismiss council members, except for the pro-chancellor and vice-chancellor, on grounds of misconduct or inability to fulfill their responsibilities, upon recommendation by the university council.
Section 15 (1) reads, “If it appears to the council that a member of the council (other than the pro-chancellor or the vice-chancellor) should be removed from office on the ground of misconduct or inability to perform the functions of his office or employment, the council shall make a recommendation to that effect through the Minister to the President after making such enquiry, if any, as may be considered appropriate.
The university’s core mandate, as outlined in the bill, is to provide higher education in Nigerian languages to students of diverse backgrounds, without discrimination based on race, creed, gender, or political beliefs. Additionally, it aims to produce graduates skilled in Nigerian languages for societal growth, conduct research, and engage in postgraduate training to maximize Nigeria’s human and natural resources.
Key goals of the institution include:
- Language Preservation and Growth: Fostering the advancement of Nigerian languages, training professionals, and enhancing communication in local languages to promote national unity.
- Research and Innovation: Engaging in research to support the development of Nigerian languages and collaborating with other national institutions focused on linguistic and cultural studies.
- Community Engagement: Offering language services, consultancy, outreach programs, and continued education to ensure the languages are widely taught and utilized.
- Government Oversight: The President of Nigeria will serve as the university’s Visitor, tasked with conducting periodic visitations every five years to assess its operations and alignment with its objectives.
The bill also outlines governance structures, providing the President with authority to remove council members, excluding the pro-chancellor and vice-chancellor, if found guilty of misconduct or failure to fulfill duties.
The bill’s second reading is expected in the coming weeks, offering an opportunity for public input and stakeholder engagement.
“If the President approves the recommendation, he may direct the removal of the person in question from office.”
The bill is expected to move to a second reading in the coming weeks, opening the floor for a public hearing where stakeholders can provide input on the proposed university.
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