Nigerian institute, Chinese firm develop indigenous language keyboards

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

The National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Abia State, has, in a feat of technological innovation, partnered with a Chinese firm to develop specialised computer keyboards with indigenous language characters.

The Executive Director of NINLAN, Professor Ogbonna Onuoha, a Professor of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages, disclosed this during the first matriculation ceremony of the pioneer degree students of the Institute in affiliation with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

Professor Onuoha said the innovation breakthrough will support reading, writing, and digital content creation in some Nigerian languages.

“We are equally championing technological innovations by developing specialised computer keyboards with indigenous language characters, in partnership with a Chinese technical firm.

“Beyond this, the Institute is also developing pioneering Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text applications powered by natural language processing algorithms, which will facilitate modern teaching, learning, and research in Nigerian languages.”

The Executive Director informed that the Institute has designed the NINLAN Nigerian Languages Online (NNLO) Programme, which, when launched, will deliver certificate and diploma programmes virtually to Nigerians at home and abroad, including foreigners seeking to acquire proficiency in Nigerian languages for business, career, diplomatic, or cultural purposes.

He disclosed that the Institute has begun acculturation programmes in Ibibio and Annang, adding that the final stages of memoranda of understanding have been reached with the Nupe, Obolo, Tiv, Idoma, and Igede languages towards their development.

Professor Onuoha commended the President and Visitor to the Institute, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for transforming NINLAN to its present status.

He also lauded the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for their efforts in uplifting the Institute.

The NINLAN Executive Director urged the matriculating students to eschew all forms of examination malpractice, cultism, hooliganism, truancy, and indolence.

He advised them instead to dedicate their time and talents to excelling in their chosen fields, using the vast learning opportunities and support systems available at NINLAN to become worthy ambassadors of their respective languages.

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, said NINLAN occupies a strategic place in the educational landscape of the country.

“In a multilingual and multicultural country like Nigeria, teaching and preservation of Nigerian languages are not just an academic exercise, but patriotic duties.”

He said that by embarking on NCE programmes, NINLAN has placed itself at the heart of the teacher-education mandate of NCCE.