A new study has called for urgent reforms in the teaching and application of the Arabic language in Nigeria to enhance its contribution to nation-building.
The research titled ‘Arabic Language and Literature in Nigeria: Redefinition and Deconstruction for Nation Building in the 21st Century’, was conducted by Professor Abdulrazaq Mohammed Katibi of the Department of Arabic and French, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.
The report also stressed the need to restructure Arabic studies to align with the country’s socio-cultural, economic and political realities. Sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) under the 2021 Institutional-Based Research (IBR) programme, the study was submitted to the university’s Centre for Research and Development.
The research found that Arabic had the potential to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s modern development but remained underutilised. It highlights the slow government action in integrating Arabic into national policies, education and economic strategies despite the country’s vast human and material resources.
It also proposed an expansion of Arabic certificates to qualify students for diverse university disciplines and integration of modern technology into Arabic education. The research also introduced the RICE (Resources, Implementation, Communication, and Entrepreneurship) model, which outlines how Arabic could be utilised in governance, education, and economic empowerment.
Additionally, the study stressed the need to modernise Arabic literature, incorporating artistic and technological advancements to make it more relevant in today’s world. It called for increased government engagement with Arabic scholars in policymaking and urged the inclusion of Arabic-speaking communities in national unity programmes.
By implementing these recommendations, the study suggested that Nigeria could unlock new opportunities in education, governance and economic development, strengthening Arabic’s role in nation-building.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
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