Development and Sustenance of Indigenous Languages in Nigeria: The Role of Ninlan and Its Library

Nigeria has over 400 indigenous languages, few are developed, some are developing while the majority are not developed. It has been a problem teaching and learning with foreign languages in Nigeria hence the idea of establishing a National Institute for Nigerian Languages to bridge the gap. The institute was established under an Act in 1992 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Its major mandate is to produce researchers and teachers. The Institute is to serve as a center for the teaching, development, preservation, retrieval, transmission, and utilization of Indigenous Languages and culture to ensure sustenance. This paper is set out to investigate the journey so far, constraints and prospects. This paper will investigate these issues using library information and participatory observation research methods, the study will suggest how the institute library can help to advance and enhance indigenous languages development and sustenance. The study is significant as it will serve as a template for the institute and Federal Government to assess their efforts so far and find avenues for improvement. [For the complete proceedings, see ED625798.]