BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The newly appointed Provost of the Federal College of Education, Jama’are, Bauchi State, Dr Yahuza Ishaq Mohammed, has launched a new scholarly book examining the historical development of Islam and Arabic language in Northern Nigeria and the contribution of Islamic organisations to their growth.
The book, titled “A Historical Study on Islam and the Arabic Language in Northern Nigeria and the Effort of JIBWIS in Spreading Them from Its Establishment to 2017,” was launched on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the National Mosque Conference Hall, Abuja.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the launching, Dr Yahuza, said his motivation for writing the book came from the gap he identified in existing research on the contribution of Islamic organisations to the development of Arabic language and Islamic civilisation in Northern Nigeria.
He explained that before commencing the research, he discovered that only a few major works had examined the subject, particularly studies by the late Dr Abubakar Aliyu.
According to him, the limited literature available on the subject encouraged him to undertake the research in order to preserve important historical knowledge and provide a useful reference material for students and researchers, particularly those pursuing Master’s and PhD programmes.
“My motivation to write this book is when I discovered there is an area where people, especially researchers, are not conducting enough research, particularly on the contribution of Islamic organisations to the development of Arabic language and Islamic civilisation in Northern Nigeria,” he said.
Dr Yahuza also highlighted the historical importance of Arabic and Islamic education to Nigeria’s intellectual development, stressing that Islamic scholarship existed in the country long before the advent of European colonial influence.
He noted that the development of formal scholarship in Nigeria was also linked to the preservation, study and translation of Arabic manuscripts.
The Provost recalled that when important Arabic manuscripts were collected in places such as Ibadan and Lagos, there was a need for scholars who could read, interpret and translate the materials.
He said this development contributed to the engagement of Arabic teachers and scholars from countries including Iraq and Libya to support Arabic studies and the translation of manuscripts.
Dr Yahuza stressed that the history demonstrated the significant role played by Arabic language and Islamic scholarship in Nigeria’s intellectual development.
He urged Nigerians to appreciate knowledge irrespective of the language or tradition through which it is acquired, while encouraging students and researchers to understand the foundations of whatever field of knowledge they pursue.
“Knowledge is knowledge, whatever way you get it, but you should understand the basics of the knowledge that you are trying to learn,” he said.
The book launch provided an opportunity for scholars, academics and other stakeholders to reflect on the historical role of Arabic scholarship, Islamic education and Islamic organisations in Northern Nigeria.
The new publication is expected to serve as a useful reference material for academics, researchers and students interested in the history of Islam, Arabic language, Islamic civilisation and the activities of Islamic organisations in Northern Nigeria.
Dr Yahuza Ishaq Mohammed was appointed Provost of the Federal College of Education, Jama’are, Bauchi State, in May 2026. He previously served in the Department of Arabic Language, School of Languages, at the FCT College of Education, Zuba, Abuja.
His appointment took effect on May 25, 2026, for a five-year single tenure.
