33 years after establishment, NINLAN set to receive take-off grant — Executive Director

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

UMUAHIA — The Executive Director of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Abia State, Prof. Ogbonna Onuoha, has disclosed that the institution is set to receive a long-awaited take-off grant from the Federal Government to address its infrastructural challenges.

NINLAN, which is affiliated with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, was established in 1993 as Nigeria’s apex institution for the research, teaching and award of degrees and diplomas in Nigerian languages.

Speaking during the institute’s 8th matriculation ceremony, Prof. Onuoha said positive developments had begun to emerge at NINLAN, following the return of support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with the approval of the Federal Government.

He explained that the take-off grant, which the institution has not received since its establishment 33 years ago, would significantly boost ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and enable NINLAN to effectively fulfil its mandate as a centre for language research and training.

“We have not gotten a take-off grant since NINLAN was established 33 years ago. I am not blaming anyone, but the indications I have received during my 18 months in office suggest that the Federal Government will soon release the grant,” he said.

According to him, the funding would support critical projects, including perimeter fencing, internal roads and other infrastructural developments across the institute’s campuses.

He noted that NINLAN’s main campus covers about 209.5 hectares of land, adding that opening up the area through infrastructure development would create opportunities for further expansion.

Prof. Onuoha also revealed that the institute had secured accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Council on Education for its degree, diploma and certificate programmes.

He assured that NINLAN possesses the human and academic resources required to maintain high standards, adding that the institution currently has 60 fully equipped language laboratories to support teaching and research.

The Executive Director expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Education, for including NINLAN in TETFund interventions, noting that ongoing projects, including faculty buildings, would further strengthen academic activities at the institute.

He said some projects were expected to be completed within six months, while additional developments would commence soon.

Onuoha also commended the Minister of Education for policies aimed at transforming Nigeria’s education sector, saying the ministry’s support had contributed significantly to renewed activities at NINLAN.

He equally appreciated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu, and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for their support towards the growth and development of the institute.

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