The Federal Government has elevated the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), located in Aba, Abia State, to a degree-awarding institution. This significant milestone was announced by the outgoing Executive Director of NINLAN, Professor Obiajulu Emejulu.
According to Professor Emejulu, the National Universities Commission (NUC) granted approval for the Institute to offer full-time degree programs in a letter dated May 20, 2024, signed by the NUC’s Director of Academic Planning. Starting from the 2024/2025 academic session, NINLAN will offer degrees in various disciplines, including B.Ed. Early Education, B.Ed. Business Education, B. Library and Information Science (B.LIS), B.A. Igbo and Community Studies, B.A. Ed. Igbo Language, B.A. Linguistics, and B.Sc. Mass Communication.
These degree programs will be offered in affiliation with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Professor Emejulu expressed satisfaction with this achievement, noting that the Institute had sought degree-awarding status for over three decades. He urged the NUC and the National Assembly to expedite the review and amendment of the NINLAN Act, allowing the Institute to independently award degrees without the need for university affiliation, as originally intended by its mandate.
Furthermore, Professor Emejulu called on the Federal Government to amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Act to include NINLAN and three other Inter-University Centres in Nigeria: the Nigerian French Language Village in Badagry, the National Mathematical Centre in Abuja, and the Arab Village in Ngala.
He also emphasized the importance of NINLAN’s role in the recently approved Nigerian Language Policy, urging the Federal Ministry of Education to recognize and support the Institute’s contributions to this policy’s implementation.
During his five-year tenure, Professor Emejulu achieved several academic milestones, including securing approval from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) to offer National Certificate in Education (NCE) programs. NINLAN has also expanded its offerings to include more Nigerian languages, ensuring that languages like Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Efik/Ibibio, Urhobo, Tiv, Fulfulde, and Kanuri are adequately represented.
Other notable achievements under his leadership include the Institute’s first-ever convocation, significant improvements in staff welfare, infrastructural development, and the launch of the Omenka App (or “Aapu Omenka” in Igbo), a digital tool designed to facilitate the online learning of Nigerian languages.
As Professor Emejulu prepares to exit his role, he leaves behind a legacy of growth and development, positioning NINLAN as a key player in the advancement of Nigerian languages and education.
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