The Nigerian
Army has directed all its officers and men to immediately commence the learning
of the three major Nigerian languages.
A statement
by army spokesperson, Sani Usman, on Wednesday morning said all personnel are
expected to be proficient in Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba by December 2018.
Mr. Usman, a
brigadier general, said the directive is part of the new language policy by the
army.
Read full
statement below.
NIGERIAN
ARMY INTRODUCES NEW LANGUAGE POLICY FOR OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS
1. The
Nigerian Army has introduced a new Language Policy. The study of foreign and
local languages is world-wide practice among armies, in which officers and
soldiers are encouraged to be multi-lingual. The Policy will foster
espirit-de-corps and better communication with the populace to enhance
information gathering, civil-military relations, increase understanding between
militaries when operating abroad and assist officers and soldiers to perform
their duties professionally.
2. It is to
be noted that English remains the official language in the Nigerian Army.
Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages could be used during Civil Military
Cooperation (CIMIC) activities or interrogation. Therefore all Nigerian Army
personnel have been given one year to learn the three major Nigerian languages.
Invariably, by December 2018, all Nigerian Army personnel are expected to learn
the three major Nigerian languages. The standard of proficiency to be attained
is the basic level. Certificated proficiency level will attract Language
Allowance.
3. The
ability to speak the 3 major Nigerian languages will be an added advantage to
those applying for recruitment or commissioning into the Nigerian Army.
Therefore, prospective candidates are encouraged to learn Nigerian languages
other than their mother tongues.
4. Before
now, the Nigerian Army officially encouraged the learning of French, Arabic,
Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. French language is an assessed subject in some
career courses and examinations for Nigerian Army personnel.
Brigadier
General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations
Director Army Public Relations
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