Bola Ahmed University of Languages: Is Sycophancy Reaching New Heights. By Jideofor Adibe

A bill proposing the establishment of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Languages has recently passed its first reading in the House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and eight others, claims the university will advance learning, promoting Nigerian languages and cultures. It aims to produce individuals capable of communicating and utilizing Nigerian languages for national development.

However, this proposal raises several critical questions. First, is there a genuine need for such a university? Currently, many of Nigeria’s 62 federal and 63 state universities already offer language studies or have departments dedicated to African studies. More perplexing is the existence of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) in Aba, Abia State, established in 1993 to serve as the apex institution for Nigerian language research and studies. This raises concerns that the promoters of the Tinubu University of Languages are either unaware of NINLAN or have failed to justify how their proposed institution would add value beyond what NINLAN already provides.

Additionally, the sponsors seem unclear about the university’s core objectives, other than creating a federal institution in Abia State, the Deputy Speaker’s home state, and naming it after President Tinubu. Claims that the university would act as a catalyst for utilizing Nigeria’s natural and economic resources through language studies seem far-fetched. Moreover, the assertion that teaching Nigerian languages will produce “socially mature persons” is vague and unsubstantiated.

If the real goal is to promote local languages, setting up language centers in communities or developing language-learning apps would be far more effective and cost-efficient. Endowing research chairs at existing universities could also enhance language studies without the need for an entirely new institution.

Another question is how many Nigerian languages the proposed university could realistically teach. Given the impracticality of covering Nigeria’s over 500 languages, it is likely that only the dominant ones (e.g., Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo) would be prioritized. This could inadvertently lead to further cultural divisions rather than the unity the sponsors claim to promote.

There is also a broader ethical issue: naming a university after a sitting president, especially one who has been in office for less than two years, reeks of sycophancy. Typically, institutions and monuments are named after leaders once they have left office, allowing time for reflection on their legacies. Naming a university after Tinubu at this stage appears premature, especially given the economic hardships his government has caused, earning him the nickname “T-Pain.”

Finally, one must question the motives behind this bill. With the university to be located in Abia State, Deputy Speaker Kalu’s home, it seems possible that the proposal serves more to boost his political standing than to advance education. Could Kalu be hoping to secure Tinubu’s favor for future political ambitions, such as a run for governor of Abia? It’s worth noting that Kalu’s previous project, the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P), launched with much fanfare, has seemingly lost momentum.

History has shown that sycophancy can backfire. For instance, Ibrahim Mantu, former Deputy President of the Senate, once declared his loyalty to Obasanjo’s third-term bid, only to turn against him later in a bid to rehabilitate his tarnished image. Nigeria’s political history is littered with such examples, serving as a cautionary tale for both sycophants and their leaders.

In the end, sycophancy taken to extremes can be a career killer, and it does a disservice to both the sycophant and the leader they aim to please.

Jideofor Adibe is a Professor of Political Science at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.