The Management of German Language Resources in Nigerian University Language Centres

This study examines the management of German language resources in university language centres in Nigeria, with a focus on institutions in the North West and South South geopolitical zones. University language centres serve as key repositories of German language instructional materials, audio-visual equipment, and digital learning tools, and their effective management is critical to the quality of German language education provided to students. The study employs a comparative case study design, examining language resource management practices at four university language centres: two in Kano State and two in Rivers State. Data are collected through institutional audits of language resource inventories, semi-structured interviews with 16 language centre administrators and technicians, and structured questionnaires administered to 40 German language instructors who use the centres. Findings reveal significant disparities in resource availability between the studied centres, with North West centres generally better equipped in terms of audio equipment but less well supplied with contemporary German language textbooks. In contrast, South South centres demonstrate stronger digital resource holdings but report higher rates of equipment underutilisation due to insufficient staff training. Both zones face challenges related to procurement delays and inadequate maintenance budgets. The study recommends a national audit of German language resources in Nigerian university language centres and the development of a resource-sharing framework. Keywords: German language resources, university language centres, management, North West Nigeria, South South Nigeria.