Professor Ushie Advocates for Shift from Postcolonial to Neocolonial Studies
Professor Joseph Ushie, the 103rd inaugural lecturer at the University of Uyo, has called for sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s approach to language and cultural heritage in response to the pressures of globalization.
In his lecture titled “How Really Post Colonial are ‘Post Colonial’ Studies in Nigeria,” Ushie, a renowned scholar in General Stylistics and Literary Criticism, proposed a critical reevaluation of the current academic framework. He argued that the term “postcolonial” inadequately captures Nigeria’s ongoing issues with colonial legacies, advocating instead for a focus on “neocolonial” studies to better reflect the nation’s persistent economic dependence and cultural challenges.
Professor Ushie, who also serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, emphasized the need to protect and promote Nigeria’s linguistic and cultural diversity. He acknowledged the impracticality of immediately replacing English with indigenous languages due to the country’s multilingual nature. Instead, he recommended revising the national language policy to designate specific functional areas for indigenous languages while maintaining English for official and international communication.
He highlighted the imminent threat of language extinction, as predicted by UNESCO, and praised existing efforts by the Ogori League of Professors and the Nigerian Languages Project. Ushie urged further development of indigenous languages through research, documentation, and government support for translation projects.
In addition to language preservation, Ushie called for a cultural policy that supports the study of onomastics—the study of names—and promotes the use of culturally significant names. He also suggested that universities create separate departments for specific indigenous languages to facilitate in-depth research into Africa’s oral heritage.
Addressing the impact of military rule on Nigeria’s intellectual community, Ushie urged for the rehabilitation of university lecturers to address the brain drain phenomenon. He lauded the Federal Government’s efforts to honor Nigerian creative writers but called on state governments to do more.
Ushie also warned of a potential socio-economic crisis if current hardships are not addressed and advocated for the adoption of non-violent mass mobilization strategies. He encouraged the youth to focus on improving conditions at home rather than seeking opportunities abroad.
On educational reforms, Ushie stressed the importance of history as a compulsory subject and called for a balanced approach to education that values the arts and humanities alongside sciences and technology. He emphasized the need for stronger connections between Africa and its diaspora to foster development and idea exchange.
