After a bill creating the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages was passed for first reading by the House of Representatives on Thursday, another university might be added to the list of ones that already exist.

The bill, which has eight sponsors including Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, aims to establish a university to encourage the study of Nigerian languages.

outlines the university’s mission statement, which will be fulfilled on Saturday: “To promote the advancement of learning and to offer the opportunity of acquiring a higher education in Nigerian languages and cultures to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex, or political conviction.”

Additionally, it seeks to “Develop and offer academic and professional programs with an emphasis on planning, adaptability, development, and productive skills in the field of Nigerian languages and cultures that lead to the awarding of diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate research, and higher degrees.”

“Producing socially mature individuals with the ability to communicate, comprehend, and use Nigerian languages for national development” is the stated goal.

Additionally, the government institution will “Act as agents and catalysts, through postgraduate training, research and innovation for the effective and economic utilisation, exploitation and conservation of Nigeria’s natural, economic and human resources” when it was created.

“Create suitable connections with other national organisations that are engaged in the instruction, study, and advancement of Nigerian languages and cultures.

In addition to emphasising teaching and research activities centred around Nigerian languages, such as outreach programs, in-service training, continuing education, and adaptive research, among other things, “Provide and promote sound basic training as a foundation for the development of Nigerian languages.”

As stated in Section 1(2), the university’s mission is to “teach and train high calibre Nigerian languages professionals.”

“Offer advice and language services in Nigerian.

“Conduct research, engage in outreach and community services, and support the development of knowledge and proficiency in various Nigerian languages.”

As per Section 14 (2), the President, acting as the visitor to the university, must either conduct a visitation of the university or direct that one be conducted by a person or people the visitor deems appropriate and regarding any matter pertaining to the university, “as often as the circumstances may require, not being less than once every five years.”

The third subsection states that “The bodies and individuals comprising the university shall be responsible for providing such facilities and assistance as he or they may reasonably require for the purposes of a visitation to the visitor and to any other person conducting a visitation in accordance with this section.”

Aside from the university’s pro-chancellor and vice-chancellor, the Visitor (President) also has the authority to remove council members from their positions.

According to Section 15 (1), “The council shall make a recommendation to the President through the Minister to that effect after making such inquiry, if any, as may be considered appropriate, if it appears to the council that a member of the council (other than the pro-chancellor or the vice-chancellor) should be removed from office on the ground of misconduct or inability to perform the functions of his office or employment.”

“The President may order the removal of the concerned individual from office if he approves the recommendation.”

In the next weeks, a public hearing to solicit feedback from interested parties is anticipated, and it is anticipated that the measure will be scheduled for a second reading.