During a recent interview on the side lines of the International Chinese Language Day event in Abuja, HON. James Sule, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, urged Nigerian stakeholders to take inspiration from China’s language preservation initiatives to prevent the extinction of indigenous languages in the country. He stressed the significance of preserving and reviving the diverse number of about 512 languages that are used among the 250 different ethnic communities in Nigeria.
He praised China for its proactive approach to promoting language diversity by setting up language schools and cultural hubs, as well as integrating indigenous languages into the education system. He emphasised the urgent need for Nigerian policymakers to follow China’s example, pointing out that native languages in Nigeria are rapidly disappearing among the youth. Sule suggested implementing language education in all regions as a way to safeguard and pass down these languages to the next generations.
Youth are getting increasingly detached from their cultural languages.
The decline of Nigeria’s native language is a pressing issue that requires collective action to address. The youth are becoming increasingly detached from their cultural languages, highlighting the need for a curriculum that includes language education for all regions of the country. They should work together to raise awareness and preserve Nigeria’s diverse linguistic heritage. He expressed his belief in the necessity of providing language education for all areas to guarantee the continuation and passing of these languages to the next generations.
Mr. Li Xuda, Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, highlighted the importance of language in shaping human civilisation and identity. Since its founding in 2013, the centre has been offering Chinese language courses for over a decade. As a result, many people in Abuja have had the opportunity to learn Chinese at their cultural hub. He commended the multitude of languages spoken in Nigeria, emphasising the importance of Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba in enriching global cultural diversity.
China’s approaches should be utilised to protect linguistic heritage.
Nigeria, with its 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages such as Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, is considered by many to be the birthplace of African civilisation. One individual emphasised the significance of Nigeria’s diverse languages, stating that they are pivotal components of global culture that deserve recognition alongside events like International Chinese Language Day. Li emphasised the significance of supporting language preservation projects and advocating for bilingual education to cultivate a community that appreciates and celebrates its various languages.
Similarly, Mr. Ahmed Sodangi, who serves as the Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, praised China for its efforts in preserving language, which resulted in the United Nations recognising the establishment of its International Chinese Language Day. He proposed that Nigeria should consider implementing similar approaches to protect its diverse linguistic heritage, considering the abundance of languages and cultures in the country. They strongly desire the government to create designated days to honour the multitude of languages spoken in Nigeria’s diverse communities.
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They believe it is essential to highlight the importance of families and schools in safeguarding indigenous languages for future generations. Parents must incorporate indigenous languages into their households to preserve them. Teaching children their native languages should be a priority for parents and the educational system to ensure students grasp the fundamentals. According to Sodangi, Nigeria could benefit from looking at China’s strategies to safeguard its linguistic heritage as efforts to protect indigenous languages gain momentum.
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