A bill seeking to establish the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages has passed its first reading, News About Nigeria reports.
The bill, which was sponsored by the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and eight others, passed its first reading on Thursday and is aimed at establishing a university for the promotion of the learning of Nigerian languages.
Section II, Part I of the bill states that the university, when established, will 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.
It states, “It aims to develop and offer academic and professional programmes leading to the award of diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate research and higher degrees with emphasis on planning, adaptive, developmental and productive skills in the field of Nigerian languages and cultures.
“This is aimed at producing socially mature persons with the capacity to communicate, understand, and use Nigerian languages for national development.
“The federal institution, when established, would also act as agents and catalysts, through postgraduate training, research, and innovation for the effective and economic utilisation, 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.”
