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Prof. Qaasim Badmaasi, a distinguished professor of Arabic Language at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, has called for a comprehensive review of the admission criteria for Arabic Studies and related language programmes in Nigerian universities.
Speaking during the university’s 5th inaugural lecture, titled “Travails of Arabic Syntax in the Nigerian Context,” Prof. Badmaasi stressed the importance of ensuring students possess strong proficiency in Arabic writing and expression prior to admission.
He recommended that candidates seeking direct entry into Arabic Studies programmes must have at least a merit level pass in Arabic.
Furthermore, one of the advanced level subjects should ideally be Islamic Studies.
Prof. Badmaasi argued that candidates who do not meet these criteria should only be admitted into the 100-level and should undergo rigorous assessment.
This assessment should include both written and oral examinations in Arabic, following the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), where candidates must demonstrate fluency in reading and speaking Arabic.
Badmaasi specified that during the examination process, candidates should be required to read at least half a page of Arabic text and speak the language for a minimum of three minutes.
He proposed that a score of no less than 50 should be required in the written test. Moreover, he advocated for Arabic lecturers to conduct all classes in classical Arabic and encouraged students to communicate exclusively in Arabic within the classroom setting.
He also suggested that all research projects be composed in classical Arabic to maintain academic rigour.
In his lecture, Prof. Badmaasi highlighted the importance of balancing Arabic language courses with Arabic literature courses, particularly at the postgraduate level.
He stressed that neither field should overshadow the other, thereby ensuring a well-rounded education.
The integration of Islamic Studies courses with Arabic language studies at the undergraduate level, as practiced in some Nigerian universities, was also endorsed.
At the postgraduate level, he emphasised the need for a clear distinction between the two disciplines to facilitate specialisation.
Prof. Badmaasi further proposed the inclusion of a course on the Science of Syntactic Principles (Ilm Usul an-Nahwi) in the Arabic curriculum for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
This addition, he argued, would deepen students’ understanding of Arabic syntax and enrich their academic experience.
Prof. Badmaasi underscored the current practice of teaching Research Methods at the 300-level to prepare students for their undergraduate research projects.
He expressed confidence that these proposed changes would significantly improve the quality of Arabic Studies programmes across Nigerian universities.
The Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Prof. Noah Yusuf, expressed gratitude to Prof. Badmaasi for his thought-provoking lecture.
He acknowledged the presence of distinguished guests, including the founder and chairman of the Al-Hikmah University Council, Alhaji (Dr) Abdulraheem Oladimeji, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abdulganiy Akashoro, Registrar Dr. Kazeem Oladimeji, and former Vice-Chancellors.
The event concluded with a round of applause for Prof. Badmaasi’s contributions to the field of Arabic language education.
