IGIRIGI: A Multi-Disciplinary Journal of African Studies

IGIRIGI Vol. 5. No 3, 2025 COMPLETE ISSUE

IGIRIGI VOLUME 5 NO.3 2025 COMPLETE ISSUE — 2025-08-11

Igirigi : A Journal of African Studies, is a multidisciplinary peer-reviewed, original researches that focus on African issues relating to: arts, humanities, medicine, science, technology, geography, education. Click on the PDF link to download the complete issue pg.i-146 here!

TRENDS IN THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (L2) IN NIGERIA

Okafor, Stella Amaka (PhD) — 2025-08-10

A look at the language teaching methods over the years has revealed that there have been changes from one method to another. These changes in the teaching methods (Teacher-Student Connect with Web, Learner-Centered Approach, and Technology Assisted Learning etc) have been described as a “swing of the pendulum” in the history of language teaching. This paper therefore, x-rays the fact that no one method of language teaching holds the answer for all the purposes and situations. The authors stress the importance of these methods to the teaching of English as a world language. Hence, linguists maintains that the use of these methods in the teaching of English as a second language would pave way for a speedy understanding on the parts of the learners.

ỌFỌ: NGWA IKPENKWỤMỌTỌ N’EJIJE IGBO

Ayozie, Chioma R. — 2025-08-10

Otu n’ime ihe kacha dị mkpa na ndụ ndị mmadụ bụ ikpenkwụmọtọ. Onye ọbụla n’ala Igbo chọrọ ka a na-enwe ikpenkwụmọtọ n’ihi na ọ ga-enye aka dozie ezinaụlọ, agbụrụ, obodo maọbụ mba. Ọtụtụ ihe ka e ji ekpe ikpenkwụmọtọ n’ala Igbo nke ọfọ so n’otu n’ime ya. Ọfọ bụ otu n’ime ngwa ofufe nke ndị Igbo na-akwanyere nnukwu ugwu n’ihi na ọ bụ ngwa ofufe nke e ji ekpe ikpe ziri ezi. Ọ bụ ngwa na-ekwu eziokwu, ngwa ikike nchịkwa nakwa ngwa e ji ahazi iwu n’ụzọ ziri ezi. Mana ọ dịghị etu ahụ n’oge ugbu a. A naghịzi eji ọfọ were ekpebi ikpe, ya mere ikpensọmanya ji were na-abawanye n’obodo. Mbunuche nchọcha a bụ ịchọpụta ọrụ dị iche iche ọfọ na-arụ, mkpa ọ dị iji ọfọ were ekpe ikpe ọbụla dapụtaranụ n’obodo nakwa ụzọ dị iche iche ndị odee ejije Igbo a họọrọ siri zipụta ụdị nsogbu e nwere nakwa ụzọ e siri were ọfọ were kpebie ha. Ihe e ji mee ntụcha bụ akwụkwọ ejije Igbo atọ ndị a họọrọ ndị bụ: O ji ihe Nwata nke Okoro na Epuchie dere, Obidiya nke Akọma dere na Akụ Fechaa nke Chukuezi dere. Nchọcha a bụ nke nkọwa. Site na nchọcha e mere, a chọpụtara na ọfọ na-arụ ọrụ ikpenkwụmọtọ n’etiti ọrụ ndị ọzọ. Nkabi ikpe ọbụla e jiri ọfọ kpee bụ o kwuchaa ọ gwụ. Ọfọ ka a na-ahụ dịka ihe bụ eziokwu n’ihi ikpe ziri ezi bi n’ime eziokwu. N’ụzọ dị mkpa, a na-atụ anya na nchọcha a ga-akpali mmụọ ndị Igbo ịmata uru na ọrụ ọfọ na-arụ. Ọ ga-emekwa ka ọtụtụ ndị Igbo na-agba mbọ maka ikpe ikpe ziri ezi. Ọzọkwa, a na-atụ anya ka e weghachita ọfọ dịka ngwa a ga na-eji akwado, achịkwa, ahazi ma na-ekpe ikpe ziri ezi n’ala Igbo.

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF YOUTH LANGUAGES IN CENTRAL AND WEST AFRICA: FOCUS ON CAMFRANGLAIS AND NAIJA SLANG

Grace Ochuole Odey, PhD — 2025-08-10

This study investigates the emergence and evolution of youth languages in two neighboring African nations: Cameroon, located in Central Africa, and Nigeria, situated in West Africa. The focus is on Camfranglais, a vernacular language spoken in Cameroon that combines elements from Cameroonian French, Cameroonian English, Cameroonian Pidgin English, and indigenous languages of Cameroon. Camfranglais is a hybrid sociolect primarily used by young people in restricted social settings, such as schools, universities, and informal gatherings. Alongside Camfranglais, the study analyzes Naija Slang, a vibrant youth language in Nigeria that draws heavily from English, Nigerian Pidgin English, and various Nigerian languages. Naija Slang has evolved rapidly, becoming a significant force in Nigerian popular culture, influencing music, film, and social media. Employing a comparative framework, this study employs linguistic and socio-linguistic methods in examining the linguistic features of Camfranglais and Naija Slang, including phonological, morphological, and syntactic innovations, such as code-switching, lexical borrowing, and the emergence of new grammatical structures. Furthermore, the study investigates the social functions of these languages, exploring how they facilitate social interaction, foster a sense of belonging within youth communities, and serve as markers of social identity and cultural affiliation. The research highlights the dynamic and creative nature of these youth languages, demonstrating how they reflect the complex interplay of language contact, social change, and cultural identity in contemporary Central and West Africa. By analyzing Camfranglais and Naija Slang, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of youth language practices, their social and cultural significance, and their role in shaping linguistic landscapes, highlighting the importance of language variation and diversity in Central and West Africa. It provides valuable insights into how young people construct language and express identities. The study further identifies new trends and helps to predict the future language development in Central and West Africa. The implication of this study reveals patterns of social inclusion and exclusion. It also highlights the need for inclusive language practices.

THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE: A PRAGMATIC STUDY OF PRESUPPOSITION AND POLITENESS IN PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU’S 2025 DEMOCRACY DAY SPEECH

Monday A. Okugbe — 2025-08-10

Since 2018, when the former Nigeria President, Mohammad Buhari declared June 12th a national holiday in Nigeria to commemorate the restoration of democracy in 1999, it has now become an annual ritual, marked with social activities and a presidential speech, christened: “Democracy Day Speech”. It is an observance that constitutes the formal review of socio- political developments in the country since the annulment of June 12 presidential election in 1993. Democracy Day Speech is usually anticipated for the soothing promises it makes and the reassurances it contains. This study investigates pragmatic presuppositions made and politeness strategies employed by President Bola Tinubu in the 2025 speech delivered at his Democracy Day ceremony. The text of the speech is downloaded from the net to ensure accuracy, and the fifty-seven (57) sets of sentences are numbered serially for ease of reference and close analysis. The study reveals that Tinubu presupposes among others, the uniqueness of the event, the socio- political and economic challenges facing Nigeria, and deploys the imperatives to address some key areas in the country. Regarding politeness, the paper unravels both the face saving and face threatening acts performed by the speaker through the various strategies deployed. It concludes that although Tinubu strives hard to mitigate the threats to the face of the past political leaders among others, the emotional touching effects of the threat still remain painfully memorable for their enormity and emphasis.

EXPLORING METAPHYSICAL REALITIES IN THE WORLD OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Gbadamosi Oluwatoyin Adebola, Ph.D — 2025-08-10

Metaphysics, a philosophical discipline focused on exploring the fundamental nature of reality, remains significant despite the dominance of science in today’s empirically driven world. When metaphysics intersects with artificial intelligence (AI), it provokes deep questions about consciousness, morality, and the characteristics of the divine. This paper uses an evaluative approach to investigate whether AI can develop religious awareness, comprehend divine transcendence, or engage in moral reasoning akin to human religious ethics. It also addresses theological considerations, such as the potential of AI to participate in religious practices, interpret sacred texts, and make ethical choices. Drawing from philosophical—particularly metaphysical—perspectives, the study assesses AI’s limitations in understanding metaphysical concepts and examines how it affects religious traditions. Ethical concerns are also discussed, especially regarding AI’s influence on faith communities, human autonomy, and responsibility. The findings indicate that AI operates within constraints set by its training data and model design. Ultimately, AI lacks subjective experience, self-awareness, and qualia. While AI can mimic understanding, it does not possess true metaphysical insight. Therefore, its integration into religious contexts should be approached cautiously and only to a limited extent.

TRADITIONAL BURIAL AND FUNERAL RITUALS IN UMUMBA-NDIAGU: A CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TRADITION AND CHRISTIANITY

Chinweze Chinedu Evaristus — 2025-08-10

The traditional rituals at burial and funerals portray something about a man’s inner religious awareness, his vision and his belief about the cosmos. The belief of Umumba-Ndiagu people in ancestral existence is the clearest expression of their faith in life after death. The same belief is also the dynamic hope of the traditional Igbo—that after a successful life on earth, one could be happily gathered with his forefathers in the land of the ‘living dead’, to continue the interminable cycle of life. This transition from the physical existence to the invisible existence takes place in the land of the ancestors. It is for this reason that the dead is accorded a special ritual before and after burial. Despite this, traditionalists and Christians in Umumba-Ndiagu run into conflicts on the presentation of material and items for funeral rituals. The presentation of certain items, type, quality and quantity differ between traditionalists and Christians. Also, the issue of killing life animal ranging from fowl, goat, cow and used the blood to sprinkled on the eye or body of the corpse before burying the corpse and the shaving of the hair of the close relatives were other major problems affecting burial and funeral rites in Umumba-Ndiagu. The purpose of this is to examine traditional burial and funeral rituals in Umumba-Ndiagu: a controversy between tradition and Christianity. This study adopted qualitative method of data collection. This study used secondary data collected from the review of literatures in textbooks, journal articles, library and the internet. This study adopted method content analysis to analyze the contents. The findings of the study showed that burial and funeral rituals in Umumba-Ndiagu are deeply rooted in Igbo traditional belief and values which many parts are serious opposed by the Christian doctrine. Also, the findings of the study indicated that the people of Umumba-Ndiagu seriously believed that failure to perform all the traditional funeral rituals to send the dead home posed socio-religious consequences such as unidentifiable sickness, spirit haunting, trouble in business, death of livestock, death in very severe situations, seen the spirit of dead person on the road, market and in the farm. The finding also, showed that this beliefs made people of Umumba-Ndiagu to attach much importance to funeral rituals according the demands of the tradition. The study recommends that since tradition of Umumba-Ndiagu and that of Christianity are different belief systems from each other on the issue of burial and funeral rituals, both of them should be practiced differently in the community and avoid clashing with each other.

THE PLACE OF ORAL TRADITION IN SELECTED IGBO LITREARY TEXTS

Dr. Oluchi Eugenia Nebolisa — 2025-08-10

This study examined the place of oral literature in the selected Igbo novels. Igbo oral literature and Igbo written literature are the literature of Igbo people. Oral literature is transmitted orally through the word of mouth, while written literature is written down in books. Many people failed to realize that oral literature provides a source of materials, to the writers of written literature. They do not know that modern literary writers draw their inspiration from oral literature. The proverbs, folktales, riddles etcetera which the literary writers use to beautify their works, are from oral literature. This is a survey research. The theory adopted was readers- response theory. In this study, three texts were analyzed to showcase the place of oral literature in the selected Igbo novels. The novels include; Ụwa Ntọọọ (2001) by Onyekaonwu, Mkpokpta Oru Nka Onyekaonwu (2014), Anụ Gbaa Ajọ Ọsọ (2001) by Ofomata and Aka Ekpuchi Eziokwu (2010) by Okafo. This study revealed the examples of oral traditions in selected Igbo literary texts such as use of figurative language, the traditional ways of storytelling, Belief and Culture of Igbo People, the use of songs and retributive justice. All these are the product of oral traditions. It was concluded that modern writers have succeeded in using oral literature in their literary works, to discuss about many issues in the contemporary society and it is a way of preserving Igbo culture and traditions.

WOMEN AND THE COLONIAL SPACE: A RE-SIGNIFICATION OF WOMEN IN ACHEBE'S THINGS FALL APART

Amos, Dauda Bivan, PhD — 2025-08-10

In this article, the re-signification of women in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is examined, placing them as agents of change and resistance within the colonial space. An allusion to two well-known colonial texts that continue to obliterate and marginalize African women: Joyce Cary's Mister Johnson and Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness buttress this discourse on the African women in colonial space. Using a Postcolonial Feminist perspective, this study looks at how Achebe's depiction of Igbo women subverts colonial preconceptions and patriarchal conventions that have traditionally marginalized and repressed them. Through highlighting the experiences of women such as Ekwefi, Ojiugo, and Ezinma, Achebe challenges the prevailing colonial narrative and demonstrates the intricate and varied roles that women played in preserving cultural identity such as emotional, spiritual and cultural roles; opposing colonialism, and influencing the course of their communities. Women are humanized and empowered by this re-signification of them in the colonial sphere, which also emphasizes their agency and contributions to the fight against colonialism. By reclaiming and revaluing the lives, experiences, and viewpoints of women in the colonial space, Things Fall Apart provides a potent counter-discourse to the colonial enterprise, as this study ultimately shows.

CHANGES AND CONTINUITY OF LAND TENURE SYSTEM IN AGULU-ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Esther Ogochukwu Akpulu — 2025-08-10

There has been changes in various Igbo traditional practices and land tenure system is not an exception. In Agulu, there are persistence practices despite obvious alterations in land tenure system and these have not been studied. Agulu is among the communities in Anaocha Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria. This study is poised to highlight land tenure system, the changes and as well persistent practices in land tenure system in Agulu. The theory of social change which explores how and why societies transform over time is used to analyse the changes in land tenure system in Agulu. The changes are as a result of factors like, increase in indigenous population, placing high monetary value on land, among others. It is a survey research and qualitative research method was employed. Data collection was by library collection, oral interviews and observations. Interviews were posed to randomly selected elders and youths who are knowledgeable in land matters. This was done to ascertain the changes and persistent practices in land tenure system in Agulu. Findings reveal that traditionally, Agulu community does not alienate lands to strangers but in the present dispensation, strangers can buy land in Agulu. The study also reveals that in the traditional practice, first sons were obliged to occupy their fathers’ compounds but currently some first sons establish settlements outside the fathers’ houses. It is believed that this study would benefit every member of the society especially subsequent anthropology scholars as it will serve as a reference point for them. The study recommends that Igbo communities should be mindful of the changes they accommodate while some sustainable traditional land practices should be retained.

PRAGMALINGUISTICS STUDY OF NAMES IN THE GHOMALA’ LANGUAGE OF CAMEROON

Dr Emma Flaricelle BAKAM — 2025-08-10

This article presents a pragmalinguistic aspects of names in the Ghɔmálá’ language spoken in Cameroon. A pragmalinguistic study of names is an analysis of the use of names in a specific social and cultural context, taking into account the way they convey meaning and intentions. In Ghɔmálá’- speaking communities, people, places, groups, plants, animals and other entities are assigned names that reflect circumstantial, contextual, historical, social, temporal and cultural perspectives. We want to understand how names in the Ghɔmálá’ language contribute to the construction of cultural and social identity, and how they are used to convey information about the relationship between the speaker and the named identity. This study aims to provide the meaning and function of these names in order to preserve our rich cultural heritage. The theoretical framework is based on the principles of pragmatics and sociolinguistics which highlight the role of context in shaping language use and meaning. The methodology employed in this study combined qualitative and quantitative analysis. Data were collected from interviews with native speakers of the Ghɔmálá’ language and text analyses. The pragmalinguistic analysis reveals that names in Ghɔmálá’ language serve not only to identify specific entities but also to convey information about the relationship between the speaker and the named entity as well as the cultural and social context in which communication takes place.

LEADERSHIP AND THE MISSING LINK IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN LANGUAGES

Alhaji Auwalu Isa PhD — 2025-08-10

Most African countries contain different linguistic and cultural groups. Unfortunately, few of our leaders welcome these languages and cultures, attempting to promote one or two languages deemed important for unity and economic growth. Others have their minds closed to the prospect of any African indigenous language cutting many children off from their culture and enforcing them to spend their time in school struggling to understand instead of building new knowledge. As language is the channel through which people’s cultures are transmitted, development on the other hand is based on communication through language. This paper discusses trends in the African continent and the objective is to explore the potential of African languages and literature as tools for socio-cultural and economic development, emphasizing the need for empowerment through linguistic recognition while addressing challenges rooted in colonial educational legacies. The essay does this by discussing the practicalities (factors that may be promoting or threatening) of African language and argues that the current efforts being made fall short of achieving the ultimate aim due to their inherent paradoxical nature. It posits that only by ensuring its use and development at all levels can the tragedy of the disappearance of African language, which ultimately means the impoverishment of humanity be prevented.

THE PHONOTACTICS OF KI IN ỊZỌ́N FOCUS CONSTRUCTIONS

Celestina Predia KEKAI PhD — 2025-08-10

That focus places prominence on certain constituents and leaves out (back)ground information in information structure is not new. Also, language-specific parameters observed in foci and their markings are established in the literature. However, a literature gap exists on the variants of the Izọ́n focus marker identified as kị. A seeming challenge in pedagogy is envisioned in distinguishing its variants in syntactic frames. This study is cast within the phonological processes of elision, epenthesis, tonal reassociation, and vowel reassignment. Data are drawn from utterances of Izón competent speakers in interpersonal interactions and innate knowledge of the researcher. The study avers that kị is heterogenous, conditioned by contagious onset(less) morphemes and manifests as ke, ko, ku, ki, etc., having elided its onset vowel and conversely too, that kị remains stable when it co-occurs with onset morphemes but may insert an /o/ epenthesis when a time adverbial or place argument is the focus. All phonological processes conform to the CV syllable structure of the language.

POLITENESS AS POWER IN YORUBA TRADITIONAL RELIGION: EXAMINING (IM)POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN IJALA POETRY

Olusegun Oladele Jegede — 2025-08-10

This study explored the dynamics of politeness and impoliteness strategies as expressions of power in Yoruba traditional religion, particularly through the lens of Ijala poetry, a traditional Yoruba oral art form often associated with hunters and deities. The motivation for the study stemmed from the need to understand how politeness and impoliteness are strategically employed in Yoruba religious contexts to assert authority, negotiate status, and manage relationships with deities. The study aimed to analyze how these strategies serve as mechanisms of power within Ijala poetry. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, the study examined selected Ijala poems that depict interactions between humans and Yoruba deities, focusing on speech acts, verbal exchanges, and contextual interpretations. Three major findings emerged: first, impoliteness strategies were often used to challenge or provoke deities to demonstrate their power; second, politeness was employed to show reverence and establish rapport; third, both strategies were context-dependent, influenced by the deity's nature and the speaker’s intent. The study concluded that politeness and impoliteness in Ijala poetry are critical tools for managing power dynamics and reinforcing social hierarchies in Yoruba traditional religion. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of Yoruba oral traditions and their role in religious and cultural discourse.

THE IMPACT OF CLASS SIZE ON THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AT PRIMARY AND SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN FAGGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KANO STATE

Ibrahim Salihu Mohammed PhD — 2025-08-10

Some researchers, educationist and languages scholars’ assume that there is low-level achievement in the English language teaching and learning among Nigerian secondary school students. Some of the factors that this situation is classroom characteristic of which large class size is fundamental. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of class size on learning English language at primary and secondary school levels in Fagge local government area of Kano State. To achieve this, Richards (1949) four-group experimental design was used. 269 respondents were divided into four groups and taught English for thirteen weeks. 239 respondents wrote the post-test. Data from the post-test were analyzed using chi square and ANOVA. Results show that linguistically no improvement in the achievement of learners in large classes compared to those classes with small number of learners. Likewise, classes with less number of students give ease to teacher assessment and learners contribute actively in classroom discourse than classes with high number of students. In sum, large classes have adverse effects on learning English in Fagge local government. The proficiency, competence and standard of English are fallen given that each learner has individual peculiarity within each class. Part of the recommendations is that approaches that show preference on individualization, grouping, and use of language teaching supports and theorization of innovative models in respect of class size be considered.

LANGUAGE AS A MEANS OF SUSTAINABILITY: EXPLORING THE INTERSECTIONS OF LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY, CULTURAL PRESERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Chioma Deborah SUNNY-ADIKWU — 2025-08-11

By This article explores language as a means of sustainability, focusing on its interconnectedness with linguistic diversity, preservation of culture and ecological awareness. Language, a fundamental aspect of human, social, economic and environmental sustainability, plays a pivotal role in driving and influencing cultural identity (both intangible and tangible cultural heritage), social integration and ecological consciousness. It is, therefore, surprising that language is neglected in the conventional sustainability discourse. However, employing qualitative research based on Leech’s five characteristics of language (informative, expressive, directive, aesthetic and phatic) and a critical review of extant literature, this study examines the vital role of language in contributing to the goals and targets of sustainability. The study employs purposive sampling method in the selection of twelve (12) Respondents, four (4) each from Obinze Millitary Barrack, Umuanunu Community and the Sustainable Environmental Studies Department in FUTO, all in Owerri West LGA of Imo State. The study reveals that language serves as a repository of collective memory, safeguarding cultural identities from erosion. Linguistic diversity fosters social cohesion and empathy, void of cultural stereotypes. The study concludes that language shapes perceptions and behaviours toward sustainability by encoding ecological knowledge and influencing public attitudes through language-based environmental campaigns. Moreover, culturally sensitive language was found to strengthen the corporate-community relationship and trust among communities, especially in the Barrack where multilingualism plays a role. Therefore, this study recommends integrating language within relevant projects and reminds sustainability advocates that diverse language use and respect for culture are crucial for sustainable global transformation.