CHALLENGES OF MULTILINGUALISM IN RELATION TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT

This study examines multilingualism, security challenges, and national development in the context of Nigeria. Multilingualism, a defining feature of Nigeria compared to many other African countries, is prevalent among its various ethnic groups. The study highlights the critical role of language in national development, defining multilingualism as the use of more than one language within a speech community, with individuals considered multilingual if they speak more than two languages. Findings reveal that multilingualism has negatively impacted national security by fostering divisions, weakening central unity, and limiting effective communication among security personnel. Moreover, linguistic-based ethnic interests have often undermined national objectives, hindering overall development. The study proposes three linguistic approaches to harness the benefits of multilingualism: (1) understanding and utilizing the linguistic resources among diverse groups, (2) balancing language use by assigning equal roles to different languages, and (3) integrating linguistic and cultural resources rather than separating them. These strategies can promote inclusive national development in Nigeria and other multilingual contexts.