To advance education in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden northeast, the federal government, in collaboration with regional stakeholders, launched a two-week. Rain-the-trainer workshop for 600 Arabic and Tsangaya (traditional Islamic school) teachers.
The initiative, largely funded by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), held at the Maiduguri campus of the Nigeria Arabic Language Village,, Ngala, Borno State, signals a renewed focus on improving Islamic educational standards and addressing the region’s high number of out-of-school children.
The workshop, jointly organised by the Nigeria Arabic Language Village (NALV) and the NEDC, aims to equip teachers with enhanced Arabic language skills and pedagogical techniques, alongside skill acquisition training.
Speaking during the flag-off, Tunji Alausa, the Education Minister,, said the initiative will prevent the misinterpretation of Arabic grammar that can lead to doctrinal misunderstanding.
He emphasised the program’s dual benefits, highlighting its potential to not only improve Arabic instruction but also provide teachers with practical skills that can be passed on to their students.
“By deepening our teachers’ understanding of Arabic language, especially in the critical areas of Grammar rules and phonological accuracy, this training seeks to prevent misapplication and misinterpretation of Arabic grammar that can sometimes lead to doctrinal confusion or misunderstanding”, he said.
The Minister, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of Al-ansar University, Abubakar Kundiri, also noted that the initiative is a permanent model for improving the quality of Arabic Education in the country
“With 100 teachers drawn from each of the six states of the Northeast region, this pilot initiative is carefully designed, not just as a temporary intervention, but as the beginning of a sustainable model for improving the quality of Arabic and Islamic education in Tsangaya and Islamiyya schools”, he noted
Also speaking, the Borno state deputy governor, Usman Kadafur, said the initiative will enable the alignment of knowledge between cultural and Western education
He said, “The focus on trainers is particularly strategic. By investing in those who educate others, we are multiplying impact, fostering sustainability, and ensuring that knowledge flows continuously into our schools and institutions”
