Arabic Language Skills and Career Advancement Among Employees of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Secretariat: Implications for Nigerian Graduates

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, headquartered in Jeddah with subsidiary bodies across the Muslim world, uses Arabic as one of its three official working languages, creating professional opportunities for Nigerians with advanced Arabic language skills in international Islamic diplomacy, development, and cultural programmes. This study examines how Arabic language skills contribute to career advancement among employees of OIC-affiliated bodies and derives strategic implications for the design of Arabic language programmes serving Nigerian graduates seeking international Islamic organisation careers. Using a professional competency and career trajectory analysis approach, the research administers questionnaires to 40 Nigerian nationals currently or previously employed in OIC bodies and affiliated organisations and conducts interviews with 15 OIC recruitment and human resources officers, primarily via video conferencing. The study maps the Arabic language competency profiles of career-advanced employees against those whose careers stagnated and identifies the specific Arabic skill domains most strongly associated with promotion and strategic assignment. Findings indicate that advanced written Arabic in formal diplomatic registers and the ability to negotiate and present in Arabic at multilateral forums are the competencies most strongly linked to career advancement. The study recommends the incorporation of OIC-oriented Arabic professional communication modules into Nigerian university Arabic postgraduate curricula. Keywords: Arabic language skills, OIC careers, professional advancement, Nigerian graduates, international Islamic organisations.