Professor Advocates for Research Funding Inclusion for Private Universities
In a compelling appeal, Foluke Unuabonah, a Professor of Linguistics and Discourse Analysis at Redeemers University in Ede, Osun State, has called on governments at all levels to extend research support to private universities across Nigeria. She made this statement while delivering the 22nd inaugural lecture at the institution, emphasizing the critical need for such funding to boost national research development.
Inclusion in TETFund Projects
Unuabonah stressed that faculty members in private universities should be allowed to serve as lead investigators in projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). She argued that this inclusion would significantly enhance research outcomes in the country, as private institutions and their staff pay taxes and contribute substantially to national development. "After all, private universities pay taxes, train Nigerian students, and contribute to national development; supporting their research endeavors is, therefore, an investment in the country's growth," she stated.
Focus on Corpus Linguistics
In her lecture titled 'From text to context: Advancing corpus pragmatics in the Nigerian English environment', Unuabonah examined the role of corpus pragmatics in understanding Nigerian English. She called for the inclusion of corpus linguistics as a course at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in departments of English and Linguistics. According to her, this field offers vast opportunities for scholars and provides a systematic approach to language study.
Preserving Indigenous Languages
Unuabonah highlighted that existing studies show Nigerian indigenous languages significantly influence Nigerian English. She urged departments of linguistics nationwide to take the lead in compiling corpora of indigenous languages, such as Igbo and Hausa. This initiative would not only support language preservation but also enhance the understanding of pragmatic and other linguistic features that shape Nigerian English as a whole, she explained.
Overall, her appeal underscores the importance of equitable research funding to foster academic excellence and national progress in Nigeria's higher education sector.
