The Sixth Governing Council of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, has commended the Executive Director, Professor Ogbonna Onuoha, and his Management Team for what it described as remarkable achievements and visible transformation across the Institute’s permanent site and its educational establishments.

The commendation came during the Council’s 35th Regular Meeting, held on April 8, 2026, at the Institute’s permanent site, after members undertook an inspection tour of projects within the Institute and the NINLAN International Schools, formerly known as the NINLAN Demonstration Schools.

Speaking after the tour, the Acting Chairman of Council, Hon. Chief (Mrs) Adimchinaka Onwukwe, said she was overwhelmed by the level of transformation that had taken place within the Institute and the Staff Schools. She remarked that she could barely recognise the schools because of the remarkable transformation from the derelict condition in which she had last seen them.

According to her, the progress recorded under the present administration represented the true essence of purposeful leadership, vision, and effective management.

She therefore commended Professor Onuoha and his team for restoring confidence in the institution and repositioning it for growth.

Also speaking, Rev. Hon. David Tukura Ismaila, a Federal Government representative on the Council, described the pace of change as amazing within such a short time. He praised the Executive Director for his commitment and urged him to sustain his visionary, innovative, and collaborative leadership style to consolidate the gains already recorded.

Professor Gideon Sunday Omachonu, representative of the Language Association of Nigeria (LAN), equally applauded the ongoing developments but cautioned against overcrowding in the schools. He advised Management to maintain standard class sizes and begin the construction of additional structures to accommodate the anticipated influx of students into the NINLAN International Schools, while preserving quality teaching and learning standards.

Responding to the commendations, Professor Onuoha said that when he declared on assumption of office that he came to NINLAN to work, it was not an empty boast but a statement of purpose. He recalled that his administration had faced accusations, petitions, and hostility from a group of parents who, according to him, sought to tarnish his image and that of the school under the platform of the Parent-Teacher Association. Despite those challenges, he said he never doubted his mission to transform the NINLAN International Schools into an institution of international standards.

The Executive Director further explained that Management inherited severely dilapidated facilities at the City Campus, formerly occupied by the defunct Federal School of Arts and Science (FESAS). He said that the pictorial and technical reports on the state of decay were presented by the Director of Works, Arch. Emeka Izuwah, after which Management approved a review of school fees following three meetings with the PTA leadership. According to him, every kobo realised from the adjustment was dedicated to the rebranding and rehabilitation of the schools.

He assured the Council that by its next visit, members would witness even greater transformation.

Professor Onuoha highlighted several achievements already recorded under his leadership. These include continuous training programmes for teaching and non-teaching staff in quality assurance, Servicom, ICT, blended learning through Canvas, and Education Management Information Systems.

The Institute also secured constituency projects facilitated by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and other lawmakers, with implementation processes already underway.

The Council was also informed of the donation of a 32-seater coaster bus by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to improve transportation and service delivery, while an existing Institute bus has been refurbished. In addition, ongoing engagements with TETFund are expected to reposition NINLAN for improved intervention lines comparable to those enjoyed by university-level institutions, with prospects for special funding support.

At the NINLAN International Schools, major infrastructure projects are ongoing. These include reroofing and renovation of the Conference Hall, waste evacuation, reconstruction of soakaway systems, landscaping, perimeter wall improvements, a complete overhaul of the water reticulation system, construction of a dual-lane gate with a security post, and the development of modern sports facilities. Other improvements include the termination of an unfavourable horticultural agreement, the clearing of overgrown bushes, the rehabilitation of the abandoned FESAS water reservoir, and plans for a new standard school gate with artistic murals.

The Council was further briefed on the commencement of a six-room postgraduate hostel project at the permanent site under Federal Ministry of Education interventions for inter-university centres. The facility, when completed, will be handed over to NINLAN at no cost to the Institute. Management also disclosed that, in late 2025, the Minister of Education, constituted a committee to examine the feasibility of empowering NINLAN to award academic degrees.

A major highlight of the tour was the interaction between members of the Governing Council and the executive members of Wailing Women Worldwide, who were holding a prayer conference at the NINLAN International Schools.

The engagement concluded with prayers offered by the National Leader of Wailing Women Worldwide for the Governing Council, the Executive Director, and the Management Team, seeking wisdom, good health, and greater resources for the continued advancement of the Institute’s mandate. The prayers formally brought the inspection tour of project sites at the NINLAN International Schools to a close. Among the Management staff present were the Registrar, Chief (Mrs) Charity Osinachi Ijoma; the Bursar, Alhaji Aliu Kolawole; and the Director of Works, Arch. Emeka Izuwah.