Nigerian scholar becomes Africa’s first professor of linguistics in Saudi university‌

Abdul Ghani Oyarekhua, a Nigerian scholar, has been Africa’s first professor of linguistics at the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia.

Oyarekhua’s promotion to Professor of Arabic Linguistics at the institution’s Faculty of Arabic Language and Humanities makes him the first African to receive this accolade at the Islamic University of Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Edo State-born Islamic expert has had 50 publications in Arabic and Islamic sciences translated into English, as well as over 50 workshops and training courses attended around the world.

The leadership of Amanatullah Legacy Foundation (ALEF), while reacting to the development through a congratulatory message to the scholar on Wednesday said Oyarekhua’s “resilience, commitment to knowledge acquisition and dissemination, and passion for scholarly development exemplify the values instilled in us in Afikpo.”

In the message signed by the Executive Director of ALEF, Umar Ikhilor, it said Oyarekhua was described as “a product of the esteemed Sheikh Amanatullah, in whose honour the Amanatullah Legacy Foundation was established.”

The statement read: “The leadership of Amanatullah Legacy Foundation (ALEF) extends our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Abdul Ghani Isa Oyarekhua on the well-deserved promotion to a distinguished position of Professor in Linguistics at the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

“This remarkable feat accentuates your accomplishments and is a beacon of pride for us at ALEF, our alma mater (the Islamic Centre Afikpo), Nigeria and the entire African continent.

“Being the first African to attain such an honour is a testament to your knack for scholarly excellence, dedication to intellectual erudition, and the profound impact of the education provided by our father, teacher and mentor, Sheikh Muhammad Amanatullah (rahimahu-Llah).

“It is with immense joy that we celebrate your success and take pride in the fact that you are a product of the esteemed Sheikh Amanatullah, in whose honour the Amanatullah Legacy Foundation was established.

“With over 50 books in Arabic language and Islamic sciences translated between Arabic and English languages, and over 50 workshops and training courses attended globally, your invaluable contributions to the frontiers of knowledge and Islamic scholarship continue to serve as an inspiration to fellow alumni of our alma mater, academic colleagues, scholars, aspiring linguists, and the young and upcoming generation.”