The National Institute for Nigeria Languages, Aba, said it signed an agreement with a Chinese company to develop keyboards incorporating Nigerian languages orthograph for easier language development.

The Executive Director of NINLAN, Prof Ogbonna Onuoha, disclosed this at the institute’s first matriculation of degree students into the institution at its Obikabia-Ovom campus near Aba on Friday.

He said, “We are partnering with a Chinese technology firm to develop specialised computer keyboards with indigenous language characters, to support reading, writing, and digital content creation in some Nigerian languages. The institute is also pioneering text-to-speech and speech-to-text applications powered by natural language processing algorithms to facilitate modern teaching, learning and research in Nigerian Languages. We have equally designed the NINLAN Nigerian Languages Online (NNLO) Programme, which, when launched, will deliver certificate and diploma programmes virtually to all interested persons.”

Mr Onuoha said the programme would serve people at home and abroad, including foreigners seeking to acquire proficiency in Nigerian languages, for businesses, careers, diplomatic, or cultural purposes.

He said the event, which was the 7th matriculation of about 433 students, was historic because it incorporated the institute’s pioneer degree students.  

Mr Onuoha said the institution was currently affiliated to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, to position it to take its rightful place in the community of Nigeria’s degree-awarding institutions.

He urged the students to recognise that the opportunity comes with enormous

expectations and responsibilities, hence their watchword must be diligence, discipline and commitment to scholarship ideals.

Speaking, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, welcomed the students and wished them successful learning.

She said that NINLAN, established in 1993, had a unique job in Nigeria’s educational system, of which was to coordinate studies, research, teaching and documentation of Nigerian languages.

Ms Arinze-Umeobi advised the students to shun truancy, cultism, examination malpractice and forgery of credentials, stressing that culprits would be punished.

The UNIZIK VC was represented at the event by Prof. George Onwudiwe of the Department of Igbo, African and Communication Studies.

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Chijioke Okwelle, congratulated the institution and the students.

He said that the matriculating students were pathfinders and carried the honour, responsibility and burden of being its first degree students.

He promised that the NCCE will continue to support NINLAN and prayed that its new era would be bright, urging stakeholders to support its growth.

Mr Okwelle was represented by the Provost, Federal College of Education, Ofeme, Ohuhu, Abia, Dr Sunday Ezeme.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, represented by the JAMB Coordinator Abia State, Juliet Aniekwe, congratulated the students and charged them to be of good conduct and be respectful.

One of the new students in English and Igbo in the Education faculty, Favour Godwin, said she was glad to be in NINLAN because of the environment, hoping for an impactful and conducive for learning.

She advised other students wishing to study at a university to join NINLAN without wasting time.

(NAN)