Designing a Graduate Certificate Programme in Comparative African Literature for Nigerian Universities

Graduate certificate programmes in specialised areas of comparative literary study offer professionals and academics an accessible pathway to postgraduate qualification without the full commitment of a master's degree, and a certificate in Comparative African Literature would address a significant professional development gap in the Nigerian humanities sector. This study designed a graduate certificate programme in Comparative African Literature for implementation at Nigerian universities. A programme design methodology was employed, drawing on needs assessment surveys administered to 60 academics, secondary school teachers, and cultural workers, review of comparable graduate certificate programmes at African universities including the University of Ghana and SOAS University of London, and consultation with eight Comparative Literature and African Studies specialists. The needs assessment confirmed significant demand from secondary school literature teachers seeking advanced comparative knowledge, from cultural sector professionals requiring academic credentials, and from academics in adjacent fields seeking comparative literary methodologies. The designed programme encompasses four modules of ten weeks each: Theories of African Literature, Comparative African Narrative, African Drama in Comparative Context, and African Poetry in Translation. Assessment through essays, reading presentations, and an independent comparative literary project is specified. Delivery through blended learning (two-day monthly residential plus online) accommodates working professionals. Expert review by ten academics confirmed the programme's academic level and professional relevance. The study recommends the programme be piloted at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and the University of Lagos, with accreditation through the National Universities Commission.

Keywords: graduate certificate, Comparative African Literature, programme design, professional development, Nigerian universities