Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has called on the Federal Government to integrate Arabic education into Nigeria’s educational curriculum to ensure graduates from Arabic-speaking countries receive equal recognition and opportunities.
The governor made the appeal while receiving a delegation of Saudi Arabian businessmen and leaders of Nigerian students studying in Saudi universities at the Government House in Bauchi.
The delegation was led by the Director of the Centre for Sunnah Studies in Africa, Dr. Shuaibu Abubakar Idris.
Mohammed expressed concern over what he described as the gradual decline of Northern Nigeria’s long-standing Arabic educational tradition, noting that the region has maintained deep educational, religious and cultural ties with the Arab world for decades.
He stressed the need to preserve and strengthen these relationships while ensuring that qualifications obtained through Arabic education are accorded appropriate recognition within Nigeria’s education system.
The governor also lamented the abandonment of the Arabic College in Alkaleri, describing it as a once-thriving institution that should be revived to expand access to quality Arabic education and create more learning opportunities for future generations.
Earlier, Dr. Idris said the visit was aimed at introducing Saudi Arabian investors interested in exploring investment opportunities in Bauchi State.
He explained that the investors were seeking partnerships that would contribute to the state’s economic growth and development while also briefing the governor on the activities of the Centre for Sunnah Studies in Africa and its support for Bauchi State students studying in Saudi Arabia.
Representatives of the Nigerian students in Saudi universities thanked Governor Mohammed for his support and encouragement, pledging to apply the knowledge and skills acquired abroad to the development of Bauchi State and Nigeria upon completing their studies.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.