Arabic Scholarship: A Fulcrum of Development in Africa: A Case Study of Private Arabic Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Abstract

There is no doubt that Arabic studies has a long history in Nigeria, therefore there are many private Arabic institutions where Arabic language is the core subject and medium of expression. However Arabic scholarship has little relevance in government establishments because the graduates of the institutions in most cases are denied gainful employment because of their poor background in English language which is the official language of the country. The challenging wave of the situation prompts few educated Muslims to agitate for the place of Arabic Studies in education sector and its relevance in the contemporary Nigerian society. This is possible only if English Language and other secular subjects are introduced into curricula of private Arabic tertiary institutions. Consequently, only few Arabic Institutes that are able to do this were upgraded by the National Council for Colleges of Education to the status of National Certificate in Education (N.C.E.) and licensed to award National Certificate in Education (N.C.E) in Arabic studies. This paper focuses on few private Arabic tertiary institutions that were upgraded to the status of N.C.E. by the National Council for Colleges of Education in Nigeria. The paper provides information on the background of Arabic studies in Nigeria; it traces it back to the eleventh century in Kanem Borno. It further discusses and examines some of the programmes run by the few upgraded Colleges of Education one after the others; in addition it identifies some of the challenges that are facing these private Arabic institutions and proffers ways to tackle the challenges. The paper is rounded up with conclusion while recommendations are made.