The Nigerian Army has ordered its personnel to learn Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba languages.

In a statement by Army spokesperson, Brigadier-General Sani Usman on Wednesday, the army it was part of its new language policy.

He said the army personnel are expected to have attained basic level standard of proficiency for the languages on or before December 2018.

“The policy will foster espirit-de-corps and better communication with the populace to enhance information gathering, civil-military relations, increase understanding between militaries when operating abroad and assist officers and soldiers to perform their duties professionally,” the statement read.

“It is to be noted that English remains the official language in the Nigerian army. Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages could be used during civil military cooperation (CIMIC) activities or interrogation.

“Therefore all Nigerian Army personnel have been given one year to learn the three major Nigerian languages. Invariably, by December 2018, all Nigerian army personnel are expected to learn the three major Nigerian languages.”

He added: “Therefore, prospective candidates are encouraged to learn Nigerian languages other than their mother tongues.

“Before now, the Nigerian army officially encouraged the learning of French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. French language is an assessed subject in some career courses and examinations for Nigerian army personnel.”

Azeez