‘Arabic studies curriculum review imperative’
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin,Prof. Morufudeen Shittu has emphasised the need to review the Arabic Studies curriculum to meet current realities. The
- By Temitope Adejuwon,
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Oto/Ijanikin,Prof. Morufudeen Shittu has emphasised the need to review the Arabic Studies curriculum to meet current realities.
The Professor of Arabic Language and Education at the Department of Foreign Languages, LASUED, delivered the institution’s second inaugural lecture entitled:“Synthesizing Convention and Modernity for a Prosperous Future: My Intellectual Footprint to Reinvigorate Arabic Studies in Nigeria.”
The don explained that the revitalization of Arabic Studies in the nation would go beyond an academic reform, stressing that it represents a strategic scholarly contribution to national and global development.
He highlighted the global significance of Arabic, saying it is spoken by over 300 million native speakers across more than 26 countries. He said it is recognized as one of the six official languages of the United Nations and serves as the liturgical language of Islam and the language of the Qur’an.
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He said its linguistic structure supports development in digital technologies.
The don observed that by 1914, over 30,000 Qur’anic schools were operating across the country. He said the language became integrated into northern Nigeria’s educational system, adding that despite colonial marginalization, it persisted through private and religious institutions and today, Arabic is the most widely studied foreign language in the country.
Shittu said the future of Arabic studies in the country depends on harmonizing traditional scholarship with modern educational frameworks and that reinvigorating Arabic study is crucial for intellectual continuity and national development.
He stated that the development of tertiary-level Arabic Studies began with certificate and diploma programmes at the University of Ibadan, the programmes later expanded into full B.A. and B.A. (Ed.) degree courses.
“Today, Arabic Studies are offered in federal, state, and private universities across Nigeria. This progression reflects growing institutional recognition and academic consolidation of the discipline,” he said.
He said there is a nationwide institutional presence of Arabic Studies programmes across the six geo-political zones,adding that the discipline is now firmly established in federal, state, and private universities across the country.
The DVC explained that six universities in the South West offer Arabic language, 10 in North Central, seven in North West, eight in North East and two in South South and South East, which are University of Nigeria and Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
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Shittu added that Arabic Studies programmes operate under the regulatory guidance of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and that despite nationwide expansion; curriculum uniformity across universities remains limited.
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The inaugural lecturer emphasised the need for comprehensive curriculum overhaul and aligned content with labour market demands, which should emphasize skill acquisition and entrepreneurial orientation.
Shittu noted that the reform of Arabic Studies must address: course content, teaching methodologies and assessment practices to produce graduates who are globally competitive and locally impactful.
He highlighted the inconsistency in yearly enrolment across institutions, declining interest in Southwest, adding that 15 per cent of secondary school pupils express interest at tertiary level.
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He said there is an improvement in enrolment across several institutions and highlighted noticeable growth in LASUED, Emmanuel Alayande University and University of Ibadan.
“There is the need for Curriculum modernization, including Applied Linguistics, media Arabic, and digital humanities. I want to advocate for increased funding and the establishment of specialized research centres. We need policy elevation and strengthening of Arabic education at basic and senior secondary levels,’’ he added.
LASUED Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye said the school continues to improve
with outstanding academic performance. She pledged that the inaugural lecture would be held regularly to highlight professors’ contributions to their various fields of study.
She hailed Shittu for his contributions to education discourse and other issues in the country and enriched his field of study.
