A Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Maruf Suraqat Animashaun, has stressed the need to encourage Arabic studies in Nigeria, highlighting the numerous benefits the country stands to gain.

The don made the call on Tuesday while delivering the 128th inaugural lecture in LASU’s series, at the Ojo main campus.

Prof Animashaun spoke on the topic, “Gleanings of Curiosities from the Harvest-fields of Arabic Literary Theory: The Journey, the Agony, and the Milestone.”

While underscoring the importance of Arabic studies to national development, the scholar dwelt on specific actions the Lagos State Government and LASU must take to drive this growth.

He noted that many leading universities around the world offer Arabic, Islamic, or Middle Eastern Studies because of the field’s critical importance.

According to Animashaun, these programmes combine the study of the Arabic language with the history, politics, mass communication, religion, economics, literature, and culture of the Middle East against the rest of the world.

He noted that such universities span the globe, including African institutions like the University of Ibadan, the University of Ilorin, Bayero University Kano, LASU, the University of Ghana, and the University of Khartoum.

Animashaun emphasised that it is vital for more Nigerian universities to offer the course. To achieve this, he urged the Lagos State Government, as the proprietor of LASU, to recognise Arabic as a strategic global language and provide increased funding for its teaching, research, and development across state tertiary institutions.

He added that the government should support the establishment of modern language resource centres, digital libraries, research laboratories, and instructional facilities dedicated to Arabic studies.

Furthermore, Animashaun noted that the government should design scholarship schemes for both undergraduate and postgraduate Arabic students, alongside fellowship support to advance research and professional development for academic staff.

The scholar also urged the government to facilitate exchange programmes, study visits, and academic partnerships with institutions in Arabic-speaking countries to enhance language proficiency, research capacity, and cultural exchange.

“It is also vital that government employs qualified Arabic Studies graduates in the education sector, diplomacy, public administration, tourism, security services, translation, media, and cultural affairs,” Animashaun said, adding that such employment opportunities would practically demonstrate the value of the discipline.

The don also advocated for funded projects aimed at identifying, preserving, digitising, translating, and publishing Arabic manuscripts and historical documents.

He noted that these efforts would preserve the intellectual and cultural heritage of Lagos State and Nigeria.

Additionally, he urged the government to collaborate with private organisations, philanthropic foundations, and international development agencies to mobilise resources for sustainable Arabic education.

Meanwhile, the scholar recommended that LASU establish a full-fledged department or centre of Middle Eastern Studies, equipping it with the necessary human and material resources to position the university on a global scale. Through such a department, he explained, LASU can promote interdisciplinary teaching and research in language, diplomacy, politics, economics, religion, security, and culture, while attracting international collaborations, grants, and exchange programmes.

The inaugural lecturer expressed deep appreciation to those who have contributed positively to his academic pursuits and life.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Distinguished Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, applauded the inaugural lecturer, describing him as a great scholar whose contributions to knowledge sharing in Arabic studies and university education cannot be ignored.

She presented him with a certificate of participation, noting that he had fulfilled his lecture obligation as a professor to LASU, before congratulating him and wishing him well. (Nigerian Tribune)