By Mark Mayah
In a strategic push to strengthen indigenous Language Education, prof Bolanle Elizabeth Arokoyo, a renowned Linguist from the Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages, Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin ( UNILORIN), has advocated for Linguistic Rights and Language Policy Implementation by
integrating of indigenous and minority languages into formal and informal education system.
Delivering the university’s 282nd Inaugural Lecture on Thursday May 22, 2025, and titled “From the Mouths of Babes to the Wisdom of Elders: A Voyage of Language Exploration,” prof Arokoyo, revealed that integrating the indigenous and minority languages into formal and informal education system, ‘ll ensure their survival and continued usage
She asserted that integrating the indigenous and minority languages into formal and informal education will support natural language acquisition and foster early literacy development in the child’s dominant languages.
Prof Arokoyo, also said there is need to promote Indigenous languages while maintaining English as the country’s official language, stressing that “UNESCO’s statement on indigenous languages highlights the importance of preserving, revitalising, and promoting indigenous languages, as they are essential for cultural diversity, sustainable development, and the preservation of human heritage.
Highlighting the critical role in language research and technological development, Prof Arokoyo, who is also the Head, Department of Linguistics, urged 21st-century language educators to adopt high-order intellectual thinking to foster creativity, innovation, and socio- economic development.
She said: “Governments and Policy makers should recognize the linguistic rights of indigenous language speakers by enforcing the policies that protect and promote language diversity.
Universities, research institutions, government agencies, and international organisations, according to Prof Arokoyo, should prioritise documenting endangered languages to preserve their grammatical structures, stressing the need for vocabulary, and cultural narratives by increasing funding.
She, however, recommended the Promotion of Language Revitalisation through Technology and Media: Governments, technology companies, and cultural organisations should leverage digital tools and media to revitalise and promote endangered languages.
Other policy as enumerated by Prof Arokoyo, includes
*Encouraging Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Linguistic Research:In line with 21st century expectations, linguists should collaborate with professionals in technology, anthropology, education, and policy-making to enhance the effectiveness of language preservation and revitalisation efforts;
*Integrating Business and Entrepreneurial Training into Linguistics Programmes: Universities and training institutions should incorporate business, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship courses into linguistics programmes to equip the 21st century linguists with the skills needed to start language-based businesses such as translation, language teaching, consulting, and AI development;
*Introducing Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme: Linguistics students should be exposed to industry experience through the introduction of the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES);
*Adequate Implementation of CCMAS Minimum Academic Standards: Governments, institutions, and organisations should ensure that the staff, facilities and equipment, library, and office space needed to train 21st-century linguists, as stipulated in the CCMAS, are provided.
