Arabic Language In The Face Of Multiple Challenges In Nigeria: A Case Of Boko Haram Insurgency

Abstract

The introduction of Arabic Education in Nigeria is long before the advent of modern education system in the area. It is a known fact that the first medium of formal education was Arabic language. Although, Arabic has since been replaced by English language right from the colonial period as a means of education and general communication, but it is given a special attention in the Nigerian education system because of its historical antecedents and its relationship with Islam. However, there are numerous challenges militating against the teaching of Arabic language in Nigeria. Some of these challenges could be social, economic, political etc. Recently, the Boko Haram insurgency has contributed negatively to the development of Arabic language in Nigeria because of its direct effects on the Nigeria Arabic Language Village (NALV) Ngala, Borno State; an institution responsible for the cultural and language immersion for Arabic students in Nigerian Higher institutions. Therefore, this paper aims at evaluating the impact of this insurgency on the development of Arabic education in Nigeria. Qualitative method of data collection was used as the basic research tools for this work. The paper relied mainly on interview to ascertain some of the facts mention therein. Focus is on the effects of Boko Haram on Nigeria Arabic village and the spillover effects on Arabic language in Nigerian Universities.