The House of Representatives has moved forward with a bill proposing the creation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages, focused on promoting the study and preservation of Nigerian languages and culture.
Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and eight other representatives, the bill passed its first reading on Thursday. It outlines that the university will be dedicated to providing education in Nigerian languages and cultures to students from diverse backgrounds, irrespective of race, creed, or political beliefs.
According to Section II, Part I of the bill obtained by Punch Online 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.
“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.
