The Nigerian Army has mandated its personnel to be proficient in the three major languages in the Country before 2019 to enhance information gathering and promote understanding between the military and the populace.
In a statement by the Army Spokesman, Brigadier General, Sani Usman, on Wednesday, it says the directive is part of the new language policy of the Army, which encourages officers and soldiers to be multi-lingual.
“The Policy will foster espirit-de-corps and better communication with the populace to enhance information gathering, civil-military relations, increase understanding between militaries when operating abroad and assist officers and soldiers to perform their duties professionally.
“The ability to speak the 3 major Nigerian languages will be an added advantage to those applying for recruitment or commissioning into the Nigerian Army. Therefore, prospective candidates are encouraged to learn Nigerian languages other than their mother tongues.
“It is to be noted that English remains the official language in the Nigerian Army. Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages could be used during Civil Military Cooperation activities or interrogation. Therefore all Nigerian Army personnel have been given one year to learn the three major Nigerian languages. Invariably, by December 2018, all Nigerian Army personnel are expected to learn the three major Nigerian languages. The standard of proficiency to be attained is the basic level. Certificated proficiency level will attract Language Allowance.”
Prior to the language policy, the Nigerian Army officially encourage the learning French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili.
The French language is an assessed subject in some career courses and examinations for Nigerian Army personnel.
The UK made learning a new language requirement for promotion.
In the United States and United Kingdom, a Soldier is encouraged to learn foreign languages like Arabic, Chinese, French and Urdu. The United States pays soldiers who know foreign language a bonus known as Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB), a soldier can earn as high as 1,000 dollars (about 370,000 Naira) monthly for being able to speak a foreign language or two.
In 2014, the UK Army announced that by 2018, soldiers without basic capabilities in a foreign language would not be able to be promoted to a rank above captain. Financial incentives was also given ranging from £360 (180,000 Naira) for a lower-level western European language, to £11,700 (5,850,000 Naira) for a high level, operationally vital linguist.
The Nigerian Army did not mention if there will be additional benefit or a clear bonus for this new task.
