In an effort to secure funding for various areas covered by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, has established committees to facilitate the release of funds to the Institute.

The TETFUND intervention areas from which the Institute expects support include: conference attendance, journal publication, library development, manuscript development, academic staff training and development, institution‑based research, and ICT support.

The Executive Director of the Institute, Professor Ogbonna Onuoha, inaugurated standing committees to organize the preliminary activities necessary for a smooth, effective, and statute‑compliant operation in each of these areas.

The following committees were constituted:

• Research and Publications Committee – chaired by Professor Ugochi Ikonne, with Dr. Joy Chikezie as Member/Secretary.
• Manuscript Development Committee – chaired by Professor Chinenye Udeze, with Ms. Bashirat Adekunle as Member/Secretary.
• ICT Committee – chaired by Dr. Heavens Obasi, with Mr. Chinedu Ogbonna as Secretary.
• Journals Development Committee – chaired by Professor Cyprain Ugwu.
• Library Development Committee – chaired by Professor Cyprain Ugwu, with Mr. Jonathan Akatobi as Member/Secretary.
• Academic Staff Training and Development Committee – chaired by Professor Nkechi Ohaike, with Dr. Heavens Obasi as Member/Secretary.
• Conference Attendance Committee – chaired by Dr. Umefien Epepe, with Mrs. Ada Nwoke as Secretary.

Addressing the committee members during the inauguration, Professor Onuoha urged them to work with diligence to ensure the successful take‑off and continuity of the TETFUND intervention programmes in the Institute. He said:

“On your shoulders lies the burden of making the Institute draw from TETFUND’s rivers of water for journal production, ICT development, library development, conference attendance, and all these areas of interest. Be transparent in your work. Seek clarification where you need it.”

The Executive Director challenged the academic staff to write for journal publications, stating, “We learn to do things by doing them. When you are not sure, ask someone who knows.”

He directed each committee to hold meetings and take relevant decisions toward realizing its objectives, and to “follow the rules of TETFUND when preparing its proposals.”

In a related development, the Executive Director also inaugurated a Committee on Acculturation and Language Acquisition Centres. This committee is responsible for developing proposals that will enable the Institute to establish and operate such centres in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The committee is chaired by Professor Nkechi Ohaike, with the following members: Professor Ugochi Ikonne, Dr. Famous Imu, Mrs. Blessing Ikedum, and Mrs. Ihuoma Iheanacho as Recorders.

The inauguration ceremonies were witnessed by the Registrar, Mrs. Charity Ijoma; the Bursar, Mr. Kolawole Aliu; the Director of Works, Architect Emeka Izuwah; and the Head of Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Mr. Chris Nwankwor, among others.