LASU Professor Advocates for Arabic Language Investment

On Tuesday, Professor Maruf Suraqat Animashaun of the Department of Foreign Languages at Lagos State University delivered the institution's 128th Inaugural Lecture at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, titled “Gleanings of Curiosities from the Harvest-Fields of Arabic Literary Theory: The Journey, The Agony and The Milestone.” He called on the Lagos State Government and stakeholders to enhance investment in Arabic language education and to establish scholarship and fellowship schemes for students and academics. Professor Animashaun advocated for recognizing Arabic as a strategic global language, urging the government to increase funding for its teaching and research in tertiary institutions.

He outlined the need for modern language resource centers, digital libraries, and research facilities dedicated to Arabic Studies. Furthermore, he recommended scholarships for Arabic students and fellowships for academic staff, along with international exchange programs to improve language proficiency and cultural exchange.

He also suggested that qualified Arabic graduates be considered for various roles in sectors such as education, diplomacy, and media.