Onireti tasks Arabic, Islamic scholars to embrace technology
By Idris Alooma
The Director of the Centre for Internationalisation and Strategic Partnership (CISP), University of Ilorin, Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibraheem, has called on Muslims to integrate modern technology into the study of Arabic and Islamic Studies in order to produce scholars who are both academically and technologically competent.
Prof. Onireti made the call in an interview penultimate Saturday (July 11, 2026).
The don urged Muslim youths to embrace modern technology and use it responsibly, noting that the opportunities in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language are vast today.
He explained that Arabic and Islamic Studies remain one of the most dynamic areas of knowledge in the world, noting, that because people are attached to tradition, they often resist change.
Prof. Onireti pointed that Arabic, being one of the great languages of the world, must be taken to an enviable position it deserves in Nigeria. He added that our official language is English, so it is compulsory for all students. In Islam, the Almighty Allah does not send a prophet except with the tongue of his people. That is why we must combine the learning of English with Arabic to help it grow.
On the issue of curriculum, he faulted the inclusion of Mathematics as a compulsory subject for language students. He explained that Mathematics has nothing to do with the teaching of Arabic. So it should not be made compulsory for those studying Arabic Language and other Nigerian languages like Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa.
Prof. Onireti also urged parents to inculcate the fear of Allah in their children as he appealed to wealthy Muslims to empower the less privileged with skills that will make them self-reliant, but will not take them away from Almighty Allah.
