The Federal Government, in collaboration with regional stakeholders, has launched a two-week, “Train-the-trainer ” workshop for 600 Arabic and Tsangaya (traditional Islamic school) teachers.
The initiative, largely funded by the North East Development Commission, (NEDC) is holding at the Maiduguri campus of the Nigeria Arabic Language Village Ngala, Borno State and signals a renewed focus on improving Islamic educational standards, and addressing the region’s high number of out-of-school children.
The workshop, jointly organized by the Nigeria Arabic Language Village, and the North East Development Commission, NEDC, aims to equip teachers with enhanced Arabic language skills, and teaching techniques, alongside skills acquisition training.
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, represented by the Vice Chancellor of Al-Ansar University, Professor Abubakar Kundiri, emphasized the programme’s dual potential to improve Arabic instruction, as well as provide teachers with practical skills.
The Director of Nigeria Arabic Language Village, Professor Ibrahim Mohammed, praised Governor Babagana Zulum for establishing the Borno Tsangaya Board, whose curriculum is reportedly being studied by other parts of the country.
Borno State Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, echoed the importance of the training describing it as “multiplying impact, fostering sustainability, and ensuring that knowledge flows continuously into our schools and institutions”
Dr. Musa Ridwan, of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, acknowledged the tripartite collaboration between Nigeria Arabic Language Village, North East Development Commission, and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies expressing optimism that the training will contribute to rebuilding the region’s educational infrastructure, empower its youth, and remedy the culture of scriptural misinterpretations that often lead to extremism, and radicalisation.
(Editor: Oloyede Oworu)