The Use of Arabic in Nigerian Non-Governmental Organisations Operating in the Arab World: A Professional Language Audit

Nigerian non-governmental organisations engaged in humanitarian, development, and diplomatic work in Arabic-speaking countries increasingly require staff with functional Arabic proficiency, yet systematic assessment of Arabic language capacity in this sector remains absent from both organisational management and applied linguistics literature in Nigeria. This study conducts a professional language audit of Arabic language capacity within Nigerian NGOs that have programmes or partnerships in Arab League member states, examining the extent of Arabic use, staff proficiency levels, language support structures, and unmet Arabic language needs. Using a mixed-methods research design, the study surveys 45 Nigerian NGOs identified through the Corporate Affairs Commission and NGO registration databases as having Arab world operations, administering organisational questionnaires and Arabic language assessment tasks to 120 professional staff. Interviews with 20 senior managers and five implementing partners based in Arab countries provide additional data. The study finds significant unmet Arabic needs particularly in proposal writing, partnership communication, and field documentation, with most organisations relying on contracted translators rather than in-house Arabic capacity. The audit recommends the establishment of a sector-wide Arabic capacity development consortium, the integration of Arabic language requirements into NGO recruitment frameworks, and the development of workplace Arabic for Development online training resources. Keywords: Arabic language audit, Nigerian NGOs, professional language capacity, humanitarian sector, Arab world.