Prof. Nnyigide Takes Centre Stage as Ohanaeze Moves to Rescue Igbo Language from Extinction

By Gabriel Chy Alonta

In a move to safeguard the future of the Igbo language, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has appointed four distinguished professors under its Professorial Endowment Chair initiative, an intervention that has now placed Prof. Nkoli Mercy Nnyigide of Nnamdi Azikiwe University as part of promoters of Igbo intellectual and cultural renaissance.

The appointment, announced on Thursday at the Ohanaeze Secretariat in Enugu, is widely seen as a strategic response to growing concerns over the gradual decline of the Igbo language, with global bodies warning of its possible extinction if urgent measures are not taken.

For Prof. Nnyigide, a renowned scholar and former Head of Department of Igbo, African and Communication Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, this recognition is not just an honour, but a call to deeper service.

“I am humbled by the historic and prestigious Professional Endowment Award I received from the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo people, Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” she stated with a tone of gratitude.

She added, “I trust the Almighty God for the grace, strength, wisdom, knowledge and understanding to make outstanding contributions towards the growth and development of Igbo language, literature and culture.”

Alongside Prof. Nnyigide, other eminent scholars appointed include Prof. Boniface Mbah of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Ngozi Emeka-Nwobia of Ebonyi State University, and Prof. Ngozi Chukwukere of Imo State University.

This development is a continuation of Ohanaeze’s 2026 commitment to establish seven professorial chairs across universities in Igbo-speaking states, an initiative aimed at promoting language preservation, cultural identity, and scholarly advancement.

President-General of Ohanaeze, Sen. John Azuta-Mbata, while presenting awards to the appointees, noted that the organisation’s intervention was driven by persistent warnings, including those from global institutions, that the Igbo language faces the risk of extinction.

According to him, the initiative is designed to stimulate research, documentation, and renewed academic interest in Igbo studies, while also fostering a broader cultural reawakening.

He further disclosed that beyond the professorial chairs, Ohanaeze is expanding its scope to include scholarships, bursaries, and digital learning platforms, as well as youth development programmes targeting coding and Artificial Intelligence.

Chairman, Board of Trustees Professorial Chair Endowment, Prof. Damian Opata, described the initiative as groundbreaking, noting that it marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s history. Supporting this position, Secretary of the Board, Prof. Fred Eze, revealed that the selection process was rigorous, involving detailed evaluation of research proposals and academic credentials to ensure only the most qualified scholars emerged.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Prof. Boniface Mbah expressed appreciation to Ohanaeze and assured that the team would work collaboratively to ensure that the Igbo language not only survives but thrives in generations to come.

This writer reports that Prof. Nnyigide’s elevation is not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and indeed the wider academic community, reinforcing the university’s reputation as a hub for intellectual excellence and cultural scholarship.