Kalu Clarifies Tinubu’s Non-Involvement in University of Nigerian Languages Bill
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not associated with the University of Nigerian Languages, Aba Bill, 2024, which aims to upgrade the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) to university status.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has dismissed claims linking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the University of Nigerian Languages, Aba (Establishment, etc) Bill, 2024. Kalu, who sponsored the bill alongside eight other lawmakers, clarified that the proposed legislation is aimed at upgrading the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Abia State, to a university level.
During a meeting in Abuja with the Governing Board of NINLAN, led by Chairman Professor Victor Ukaogo, Kalu stressed that President Tinubu's name has not been associated with the bill. He explained, “The bill is about reviewing the establishment act of NINLAN to elevate its status, allowing it to receive funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), expand its curriculum, and contribute more to society. The President’s name has nothing to do with this.”
The Deputy Speaker criticized reports suggesting the bill was tied to Tinubu, accusing detractors of attempting to draw the President into unrelated matters. “The election is over; people should refrain from dragging the President into petty issues. He is focused on strengthening Nigeria's educational system,” Kalu said.
He emphasized that the bill seeks to enhance NINLAN's capacity as a federal institution, positioning it to benefit from TETFUND and increase its impact on society. “This is not the first institution I’ve proposed such a bill for, and it won’t be the last. We must ensure that NINLAN, which already holds federal status, does not decline but instead thrives,” Kalu remarked.
The lawmaker noted that upgrading NINLAN to university status would help preserve Nigeria's linguistic heritage, create job opportunities, and build national identity. He hinted at plans to amend the TETFUND establishment act to support specialized higher education institutions and inter-university centers in Nigeria, underscoring the need to protect and promote the country's diverse languages as a unifying force.
Kalu concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the bill, which aims to transform NINLAN into a center of excellence for language studies, ensuring it serves as a reference point for linguistic preservation and academic advancement.
