Prof. Ogbonna Onuoha, the Executive Director of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) located in Aba, Abia State, has announced that the Federal Government is preparing to issue a long-awaited take-off grant. This funding is intended to resolve persistent infrastructural issues at the institution.
Founded in 1993 and affiliated with Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, NINLAN serves as the country’s primary facility for language research and academic training. During the institute’s 8th matriculation ceremony, Prof. Onuoha highlighted that renewed support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has signaled a positive shift for the organization.
Although the institute has operated for 33 years without a take-off grant, recent communications lead Prof. Onuoha to believe that government assistance is imminent. These funds are slated for essential developments, such as perimeter fencing and the construction of internal roads across the 209.5-hectare campus.
Beyond infrastructure, the institute has successfully secured accreditation from both the National Universities Commission and the National Council on Education. Prof. Onuoha emphasized that NINLAN is well-equipped for its mission, citing 60 fully functional language laboratories. He also acknowledged the support provided by the Federal Ministry of Education, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, noting that ongoing construction projects will soon enhance the institute’s academic environment.
