Breaking Barriers: Nigerian Army’s Language Initiative by Sani Kukasheka Usman
“To have another language is to possess a second soul.” – Charlemagne
In a nation as culturally rich and complex as Nigeria, language transcends mere communication—it is a key to empathy, understanding, and leadership. Amid rising concerns over ethnic, religious, and regional divides, the Nigerian Army is charting a bold, unifying course through an unlikely tool: language learning.
On Friday, 9th May 2025, the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, celebrated a milestone with the graduation of 150 officers and soldiers from Indigenous Languages Course 18/2025. These graduates join the ranks of over 2,410 personnel who, since 2018, have completed the programme, becoming proficient in at least two indigenous Nigerian languages apart from their mother tongues.
This initiative is a cornerstone of the Nigerian Army Language Policy, which mandates language proficiency as a strategic imperative. In Nigeria’s diverse theatres of military operations—whether in the Northeast, Northwest, South-South, or other regions—understanding and engaging local communities is vital. Language is not just a tactical advantage; it is a bridge to trust, intelligence gathering, and mission success.
The Indigenous Languages Course is the result of visionary collaboration between the Nigerian Army and Laclic Services Limited, an indigenous firm providing expert instructors and top-tier learning resources. With their support, the Army is producing not just warriors but culturally fluent peacebuilders and communicators.
The curriculum is immersive and multidimensional. It encompasses grammar, phonetics, conversational skills, and cultural studies. It features photo stories, group projects, and continuous assessments—culminating in a hands-on field immersion exercise at the Mammy Market in Mambilla Barracks, where trainees interact with civilians in real-time using their newly acquired language skills. Graduation day is marked by dramatic playlets performed entirely in these languages, symbolising the spirit of cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
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The benefits are both practical and profound. During the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) in 2002–2003, Nigerian troops won local support by learning Krio, fostering cooperation and reducing tension. Similar stories emerged from Liberia and Sudan. By contrast, in the early stages of the Boko Haram insurgency, language barriers between troops and civilians in Northeast Nigeria created dangerous misinterpretations, leading to mistrust and missed intelligence opportunities.
Globally, language gaps have contributed to tragic outcomes. The 1994 Rwandan Genocide, for instance, was exacerbated by the failure to mediate ethnic tensions and counter divisive propaganda. Even in more developed societies, language remains a fault line in law enforcement, healthcare, and social cohesion.
The Indigenous Languages Course demonstrates that language is a potent peacebuilding tool. It fosters trust, enables better civil-military relations, and promotes internal cohesion within the military ranks. It teaches soldiers not just to command, but to connect.
This programme is also a powerful model for other institutions—government agencies, schools, and private organisations alike. If the military, known for its strict hierarchy and combat focus, can embrace multilingualism as a tool for national unity, then the rest of society must follow suit. Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, and our journey to unity must begin with understanding one another—starting with language.
To reinforce its impact, the Army incentivises participation through monthly stipends for graduates and conducts annual recertification exams to maintain proficiency. Facilitators even follow up informally to ensure continued use of the languages, underscoring the seriousness of the initiative.
As the latest set of graduates step forward from NARC, they do so as more than just soldiers. They are now ambassadors of unity, living proof that the fabric of Nigeria can be strengthened not just through force, but through dialogue.
It is time for all Nigerians—individuals, institutions, and governments—to acknowledge, support, and replicate this transformative initiative. Language should not divide us; it should connect us. Let us foster a national culture that values every tongue, understands every story, and celebrates every heritage.
In learning each other’s languages, we begin to learn each other’s struggles, hopes, and aspirations. Only then can we move beyond coexistence to truly live as one—united not just by borders, but by mutual respect, shared purpose, and collective destiny.
Let the Indigenous Languages Course of the Nigerian Army stand not just as a military strategy, but as a national movement. One Nigeria. Many tongues. One voice.
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd), mni, fnipr, is a public affairs analyst and specialist in security and strategic communication. He can be reached via his social media platforms @skusman.
