A professor of African and Middle Eastern Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), Amidu Olalekan Sanni, has urged academics and students to sustain Arabic scholarship, describing the language as a vital bridge in global knowledge transfer.
He made the call while delivering LASU’s 111th inaugural lecture titled “The Odyssey of a Theorist in Arabic-Islamic Scholarship: The Pain, the Gain and the Twain.”
Professor Sanni said Arabic has shaped world civilisation through translations of scientific classics and warned that neglecting the discipline would weaken a key pillar of human knowledge. He criticised stereotypes that restrict Arabic studies to Islam or Arab identity, noting that such biases often deny recognition to non-native learners, particularly Black Africans.
The don recommended reforms in Nigeria’s higher education system, including a review of Arabic curricula to integrate coding, leadership and communication skills. He also called for the reintroduction of LASU’s diploma in Arabic and Islamic Studies, last offered in 2008.
Professor Sanni further urged the government to implement outstanding education policies, improve welfare in higher institutions, and strengthen academic recruitment and promotion processes.A professor of African and Middle Eastern Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), Amidu Olalekan Sanni, has urged academics and students to sustain Arabic scholarship, describing the language as a vital bridge in global knowledge transfer.
He made the call while delivering LASU’s 111th inaugural lecture titled “The Odyssey of a Theorist in Arabic-Islamic Scholarship: The Pain, the Gain and the Twain.”
Professor Sanni said Arabic has shaped world civilisation through translations of scientific classics and warned that neglecting the discipline would weaken a key pillar of human knowledge. He criticised stereotypes that restrict Arabic studies to Islam or Arab identity, noting that such biases often deny recognition to non-native learners, particularly Black Africans.
The don recommended reforms in Nigeria’s higher education system, including a review of Arabic curricula to integrate coding, leadership and communication skills. He also called for the reintroduction of LASU’s diploma in Arabic and Islamic Studies, last offered in 2008.
Professor Sanni further urged the government to implement outstanding education policies, improve welfare in higher institutions, and strengthen academic recruitment and promotion processes.
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