The three major languages in Nigeria – Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba – are now made compulsory for personnel of the Nigerian Army.
This was made known on Wednesday by the Nigerian Army.
According to a statement issued by the spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Sani Usman, the directive is part of the efforts of the military to enhance better communication with the populace.
He said the personnel were expected to have attained a good level of proficiency in the languages on or before December 2018.
He stressed also that allowances would be given to those who attain some degree of proficiency in the use of the languages.
The statement reads in part: “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.”
The statement reads further:“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.”
Usman further stated that proficiency in the languages would 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.
“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,” Usman added.
