Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has emphasised the importance of promoting Nigeria’s local languages and culture to drive national development.
He made the call during a visit to the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts at the University of Ilorin, as part of activities leading to the institution’s maiden Cultural Week.
Soyinka described language as a beautiful tool for expression and a repository of a people and community.
He stressed the need to learn, read, write, and invent in local languages, even before composing in other languages, to conduct research and develop the country.
“In the last head count, it was discovered that there were 300 languages in Nigeria.
”We need to learn foreign languages that are spoken and recognised around the world to develop ourselves and the country, but this should not be to the detriment of our local language,” Soyinka said.
He highlighted the need to transform old traditional ways of living to modern ones to get cultural value.
Soyinka suggested introducing local foods, songs, and ways of solving issues in the past to modern day living.
He emphasised the need for local languages to be made compulsory in schools and for Nigerians to know their history and culture to be proud of their heritage.
“We need to cherish our culture and traditions as an African country in order to maintain our dignity and value,” Soyinka added.
In his remarks, the University of Ilorin’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole, described Soyinka’s visit as a moment of pride and historical importance to the institution.
Egbewole noted that the establishment of the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts was inspired by a vision that aligned closely with Soyinka’s lifelong dedication to arts and humanities.
The Centre was conceptualised with figures like Soyinka in mind, with a focus on contributing meaningfully to cultural scholarship and global discourse.
Egbewole expressed optimism that the Centre would grow to become one of the foremost institutions of its kind globally, especially with Soyinka’s involvement and endorsement.
