The Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) has recently made a significant move by integrating the Yoruba Language into its General Nigeria Studies (GNS) curriculum. This pioneering initiative aims to not only preserve the language but also encourage its use among students.
In a recent interview, the Vice-Chancellor of LASUED, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye, shared this exciting news. The decision to incorporate Yoruba Language into the curriculum comes in response to the enactment of a law by the Lagos State Government on August 8, 2018. This law is specifically designed to safeguard and promote the Yoruba Language in tertiary institutions within the state.
The legislation mandates the inclusion of Yoruba Language in the GNS program of all tertiary institutions owned by the Lagos State Government. As stated by Lafiaji-Okuneye, “It is a compulsory course for both 100 and 200-level students, and they must pass it before they graduate.”
Since its transformation into a university, LASUED’s senate approved the teaching of Yoruba Language at the GNS level in 2022. The university began implementing this initiative in February, during the 2022/2023 academic session. As of now, LASUED stands as the sole institution in Lagos State teaching Yoruba Language for an entire session.
Lafiaji-Okuneye further stated that the 100-level students at LASUED have already been taught, examined, and graded on the Yoruba Language course. She also highlighted how the lecturers teaching Yoruba Language have ingeniously crafted innovative teaching methods to captivate their students’ interest. In fact, due to the overwhelming demand, some candidates who were initially interested in studying English Language were transferred to Yoruba Language during the recent admission process.
Explaining the rationale behind making Yoruba Language compulsory, Lafiaji-Okuneye emphasized the importance of cultural awareness, stating, “The idea of making Yoruba Language compulsory is because we want our students to know more about the culture.” She further urged parents and schools to embrace Yoruba Language, as it serves as a catalyst for preserving our heritage and ensuring its perpetuation among future generations.
