society
BRIDGING DIVIDES, BUILDING UNITY: NIGERIAN ARMY’S INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE COURSE AS A PILLAR OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION
BRIDGING DIVIDES, BUILDING UNITY: NIGERIAN ARMY’S INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE COURSE AS A PILLAR OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION
BY
BRIGADIER GENERAL SANI KUKASHEKA USMAN (RTD) mni fnipr
“To have another language is to possess a second soul.”-Charlemagne
In a country as diverse and complex as Nigeria, language is more than just a medium of communication, it is a gateway to understanding, empathy and effective leadership. At a time when many are lamenting the widening ethnic, religious and cultural divides across the nation, the Nigerian Army has chosen a different path, one of unity through language and cultural integration.
The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, marked yet another significant milestone on Friday, 9th May 2025, with the graduation of 150 officers and soldiers from across its various formations and units. These graduates of the Indigenous Languages Course 18/2025 represent the 18th group of personnel to complete this flagship initiative, which, since 2018, has equipped over 2,410 personnel that become proficient in two other languages other than their mother tongues in any of the 3 major Nigerian languages. Thus equipping them to serve not only as protectors of the nation, but also as bridges across its many divides and agents of national unity.
The course is the practical expression of the Nigerian Army Language Policy, which mandates that all personnel must learn at least two indigenous languages apart from their mother tongue. This is not a cosmetic requirement, but a strategic initiative of the Nigerian Army. In the multi-ethnic theatres of Nigeria Army’s counterinsurgency and internal security operations, whether in the Northeast, Northwest, South-South or other geo-political regions, managing community relations has compelled a proficiency in local languages as an important tool in operational effectiveness and mission success of the troops.
The programme is a brainchild of the forward-looking leadership of the Nigerian Army and the management of NARC, in partnership with Laclic Services Limited. It bears eloquent testimony to the evolving role of the military in ensuring law and order in the country. All thanks to this wonderful initiative, today’s soldier is not just a fighter, but also a negotiator, peacebuilder and communicator. Special commendation must go to Laclic Services Limited, the indigenous company that supplies well-trained instructors and high-quality teaching aids. The organisation’s dedication to linguistic excellence and cultural preservation has been central to the programme’s success.
Participants of the programme are immersed in both theoretical and practical learning. Classes include local culture, grammar, vocabulary, phonetics and conversational skills. The course curriculum also integrates photo stories, group work, presentations and rigorous written and oral assessments. One of the most impactful components is the practical field immersion, where trainees visit the nearby Mammy Market at Mambilla Barracks, interact with civilians in their chosen languages, and test their communication skills and proficiency in real-time. On graduation day, participants stage playlets, which are performed entirely in the new languages they’ve acquired. These dramatisations are more than ceremonial; they are symbolic of the bridge-building spirit the programme seeks to instil.
Across the world and here in Nigeria, there are countless examples of how language proficiency has changed the trajectory of military and humanitarian operations. In 2002–2003, during the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Nigerian troops earned the admiration of local communities largely because some had taken time to learn Krio, the lingua franca. This linguistic empathy smoothed community engagements and de-escalated tensions. Similarly, in Liberia and Sudan, Nigerian peacekeepers’ knowledge of local languages often made the difference between suspicion and cooperation.
Contrast this with situations where language gaps exacerbate mistrust. During the early stages of the insurgency in Northeast Nigeria, numerous misunderstandings between troops and local communities were linked to poor communication. Civilians misinterpreted military movements and intentions, while troops, unable to decode local dialects or cultural nuances, struggled to build rapport. In several cases, critical intelligence from locals was lost in translation, if not missed altogether.
Outside the military, language differences have triggered or prolonged conflicts, particularly in multi-ethnic settings. A notable example is the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, where the inability to mediate between ethnic groups, compounded by poor communication, allowed propaganda and hate speech to go unchallenged. Even in advanced democracies, language barriers within immigrant or multi-ethnic communities continue to affect law enforcement, healthcare delivery and justice administration.
The Indigenous Languages Course demonstrates that language can be a powerful peacebuilding tool. It allows soldiers to interact with their colleagues, neighbours and host communities in their tongue, breaking down barriers, winning hearts and minds, and enabling more effective civil-military cooperation. It also enhances internal cohesion within the military, fostering mutual respect and unity across Nigeria’s ethnocultural spectrum.
This initiative is as much about national integration as it is about professional development. It empowers personnel to function better, not just on the battlefield, but in their everyday engagements with the very citizens they swore to defend. It reinforces the belief that to secure a nation, you must first understand it, and to understand it, you must speak its many tongues.
This programme undoubtedly stands as a model for other government agencies, institutions, and even private organisations, which can benefit from improved interethnic communication, stronger community engagement, and enhanced operational cohesion through indigenous language proficiency. If the military, an institution often associated with rigid hierarchy and combat discipline, can embrace linguistic diversity as a strength, then so can the rest of the country. We must move from mere tolerance to active appreciation of our differences. Language is where that journey begins.
As Nigeria continues to search for a unifying national identity, initiatives like the Indigenous Languages Course of the Nigerian Army offer a compelling blueprint. It reminds us that nation-building is not only the duty of politicians and intellectuals, but of every institution and indeed every citizen willing to take one more step towards understanding the other.
To further encourage participation, the Nigerian Army supports officers and soldiers who successfully graduate from the course with a monthly stipend. Additionally, to ensure continued proficiency and commitment, such personnel are tested annually, reinforcing both the seriousness of the initiative and its long-term impact. It is also important to highlight the annual online recertification examinations, which serve as a mechanism to ensure that participants continue to practice and retain the languages they have learned at the NARC. In addition, facilitators occasionally reach out to selected graduates at random, offering informal check-ins and gentle reminders to keep their linguistic skills active and relevant.
As the latest graduates take the stage at NARC, let us salute them, not just for their newfound language skills, but for becoming living symbols of Nigeria’s promise: that despite our differences, we can speak as one.
It is now time for all Nigerians, individuals, institutions, and governments at every level, to recognise, commend and emulate this remarkable initiative. Language should not divide us; it should connect us. Just as the Nigerian Army has shown leadership in bridging ethnic and cultural gaps through structured language education, so too should our schools, civil service, institutions and communities embrace multilingualism as a tool for national integration. Let this be a national movement that values every Nigerian tongue, culture, and effort to understand the other. By learning one another’s language, we take the first step toward learning one another’s pain, dreams, fears, and hopes.
Only then can we move beyond mere coexistence to truly live as one, bound not just by geography but by a shared commitment to peace, harmony, and mutual respect. Let us rise above our divisions and embrace the strength in our diversity, building a united Nigeria under God where every voice is heard, every culture is honoured, and every citizen belongs and is respected.
The writer, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), mni fnipr, is a respected public affairs analyst and a specialist in security and strategic communication. He can be reached via his social media platforms using the handle @skusman.
Old Students Association rejects alleged commercialisation of Unity School land
By Ifeoma Ikem
The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has rejected the alleged commercialisation of any unity schools land under the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) initiative.
The association made its displeasure known during their awareness walk to protest the concession of the 33 hectares of land belonging to Federal Government College (FGC) Kano yesterday in Lagos.
The members were carrying placards, some of which read “PPP: Save the Future”, “Protect Unity Schools”, “PPP must serve Education not land conversion” and “Schools are not for Real Estate”.
President-General of the Unity Schools Old Students Association USOSA Michael Magaji says Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) was designed to improve public institutions, and not strip them of assets or reduce their land.
Over 60 Unity schools members were drawn from across the nation for the awareness walk to protest against the alleged sale of the school lands.
The P-G said the association was advocating for a sustainable funding model that would preserve educational assets while improving infrastructure, manpower and learning conditions.
“Our coming together is to restore the lost glory of Unity Schools and strengthen Nigeria’s education system. Unity schools are nation-building institutions that have produced leaders across various sectors.
“Unity Schools were not just about education, they were about integration built not by spectators but by active citizens that believe in one nation.
“ The alumni support PPP but oppose the sale of educational assets. Unity never happens by chance but designed, nurtured and protected,’’ he added.
He added that the awareness walk brought about by the alumni across the nation was also to have a stronger network to revive the vision of the Unity Schools.
Mr Humphrey Nwafor, Lagos Chapter President, Federal Government College, Kano Old Students Association said that they are pushing back against the alleged commercialisation of Unity School lands.
Nwafor pointed out that the 33 hectares of land belonging to FGC Kano was concessioned without adequate consultation with stakeholders.
“We are saying there is a better option. Instead of selling our lands and assets, we would rather fund the schools ourselves.
“If the government says it does not have enough money to run the schools, the old students can provide support without taking one inch of the land,” he said.
According to him, the concession arrangement involving the school’s land will undermine the future of unity schools, which were established in the first place to promote national integration.
“These schools were established to unite Nigerians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and we are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that public educational assets are protected,” he added.
He called on the Federal Government to leverage alumni networks in addressing funding challenges confronting unity schools.
“We are in solution mode and impact mode and we believe alumni associations should be integrated into the process of repositioning these schools.
“We recently met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and discussions are ongoing toward finding mutually beneficial solutions,” he said.
Mr Alex Akindumila, President of FGC Idoani Alumni Association said the concession controversy was a national test of how public assets and educational institutions are being managed.
He said that they are concerned that reducing lands allocated to unity schools could limit future expansion, agricultural projects, sports facilities, technical workshops and staff accommodation.
“The lands allocated to unity schools were deliberate and visionary.“They were designed to ensure that the schools remain self-sustaining and adaptable to future needs.
According to him, when you shrink the land of a unity school, you do not just reduce space, but reduce possibility , reduce ability to run agricultural programs that can feed students and teach enterprise, even the space required for sports facilities that build discipline, health and national pride.
Also, Mrs Ifeoma Okeke, an alumna of FGC Nsukka, called for transparency, due process and stakeholder engagement in any PPP arrangement involving educational institutions.
She said PPP agreements should align with the public purpose of the schools and not diminish their long-term capacity.
“There must be transparency, competitiveness and proper stakeholder engagement in any concession process involving public educational assets,” she said.
society
NAPS Southwest Condemns Delay in Passage of HND,/B.SC Dichotomy Bill, Issues 30 Days Ultimatum to Nigeria Senate and Federal House of Representative
NAPS Southwest Condemns Delay in Passage of HND,/B.SC Dichotomy Bill, Issues 30 Days Ultimatum to Nigeria Senate and Federal House of Representative
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) Southwest has strongly condemned the continued delay in the passage of the bill aimed at ending the long-standing disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) qualifications in Nigeria. The association has described the delay as unjust, discriminatory, and harmful to the future of polytechnic education in the country.
The NAPS Southwest expressed deep frustration over what it called the unacceptable silence and inaction from the Nigerian Senate and Federal House of Representatives regarding the bill. The proposed legislation seeks to abolish the dichotomy between HND and B.Sc holders, a divide that has for years limited career progression opportunities for polytechnic graduates, particularly in the public sector.
This ongoing delay represents a significant policy gap that must be urgently addressed. The continued discrimination against HND holders contradicts the principles of equity, fairness, and meritocracy that should define Nigeria’s public service.
For years, polytechnic students and graduates have faced systemic discrimination in employment opportunities, career progression, and societal recognition an injustice that undermines the value of technical and vocational education in national development. The proposed bill represents a critical step toward equity, fairness, and the full recognition of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
We therefore call on the current administration and the National Assembly to prioritize the reintroduction and immediate passage of this critical legislation. Nigeria cannot afford to sideline a significant segment of its skilled workforce due to outdated and discriminatory policies.
It is therefore disheartening that the Nigeria Senate and House of Representatives has yet to act decisively on this matter of urgent national importance. The continued delay raises serious questions about the commitment of lawmakers to addressing the challenges faced by millions of Nigerian youths in the polytechnic system.
The NAPS southwest unequivocally calls on the Senate and House of Representatives to, without further delay, deliberate on and pass the bill to end the HND/B.Sc dichotomy. The future of countless students and graduates depends on this decisive action.
The continued delay in passing this bill is a direct attack on the dignity and future of millions of Nigerian students and graduates, the statement read. We cannot continue to tolerate a system that places artificial barriers on capable individuals simply because of the institution they attended.
Failure to meet this demand will leave NAPS Southwest with no choice but to mobilize Nigerian Polytechnic Students and Graduates across the country for peaceful but firm actions to press home our demands. We are prepared to take all legitimate steps necessary to ensure that justice is served.
NAPS Southwest has therefore issued a strong warning to the Senate and House of Representatives, urging lawmakers to prioritize and immediately pass the bill without further delay. The association made it clear that failure to act promptly would trigger nationwide protests and coordinated actions by Nigerian polytechnic students and graduates.
We urge all relevant stakeholders to initiate comprehensive reforms that will harmonize qualification frameworks, ensure equal opportunities for career advancement, and restore confidence in the civil service system.
NAPS Southwest remains committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of polytechnic students and graduates across Nigeria. We will continue to engage constructively with policymakers and mobilize support until justice is achieved.
Signed
Comr Ogunsola Adewale John
NAPS Southwest Coordinator
+234 704 720 2907
society
African Focus Historic Royal Visit of Olúkòyí of Ìkòyí Ọba Iyiola Akande Morenigbade in Los Angeles, CA —
African Focus Historic Royal Visit of Olúkòyí of Ìkòyí Ọba Iyiola Akande Morenigbade in Los Angeles, CA —
African Focus Inc. its 20th Anniversary with Goodwill Awards and Induction Ceremony in April, 2026, held at the Renaissance LAX in Los Angeles, California.
The landmark event brought together distinguished guests, cultural leaders, and members of the African diaspora for an evening of recognition, reconnection, and celebration.
The ceremony honored outstanding community leaders and cultural champions whose contributions have strengthened African heritage and unity across generations.
The evening featured an elegant dinner, and an inspiring awards presentation, commemorating two decades of impactful service.
Highlight of the event was the African Family Induction, a signature tradition of African Focus.
18 Diaspora Africans were formally welcomed into native African families for a meaningful cultural experience.
The Inductees received certificates bearing their native names, along with cultural artifacts symbolizing their new lineage.
This initiative continues to foster cultural identity, bridge generational and geographical divides, and encourage deeper engagement with the African continent.
Many past inductees have gone on to travel to Africa with their host families, strengthening cultural bonds and understanding.
This year’s event was graced by a Yorùbà monarch His Royal Majesty, Oba Iyiola Akande Morenigbade, the Olukoyi of Ikoyi in Osun State, Nigeria who doubled as special guest of honour and historically served as Royal Father of the Day.
His royal presence brought cultural significance to the celebration.
The event was hosted by Uchenna Nworgu, Founder and Director of African Focus Inc, alongside a distinguished team of Cultural Ambassadors and leaders, including Paul Babatunde, Director of Cultural Initiatives; Dominique DiPrima, Cultural Ambassador; Wole Nipede; Ojise Isedale (also known as Olubunmi Olukanni); Ade James; and other notable contributors.
The event was concluded with vibrant music and dance, reflecting the spirit of unity and cultural pride that has defined African Focus for the past 20 years.
African Focus is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reconnecting the African diaspora with their cultural roots through education, cultural exchange, and community engagement initiatives.
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