Professor Nọlue Emenanjọ significantly shaped the Igbo nation through his immense contributions to language and culture. He is known for making the Igbo language more recognizable, and his name has become synonymous with Igbo linguistics. One of his notable works is the creation of Igbo modules, such as “Egbe Na Ọnwụ Nne Ya,” which was part of the Primary Three Igbo Macmillan reader, stamped with “Not for Sale” by the government. Additionally, his famous work Atụrụ Nzuzu Abụọ tells the story of two foolish sheep, who, unable to agree on who should give way on a narrow bridge, fight and fall into a river, ultimately drowning.
He also wrote songs that became classics, used during moonlight play in primary schools, such as:
Onye mụrụ nwa na-ebe akwa
Egbe mụrụ nwa na-ebe akwa
Weta ụzịza weta ose…
Or
Kpụkpụ ogene… ogene ogene nta
Kpụkpụ ogene… ogene ogene nta
Onye na-eti ogene… ogene ogene nta…
These iconic songs reflect how deeply Professor Emenanjọ influenced Igbo children’s early education.
Born on April 21, 1943, into the illustrious Igboụzọ family of Obi and Obi Emenanjọ in Ụmụeze Igboụzọ (Ibuza), Delta State, Professor Nọlue Emenanjọ initially pursued an honours degree in English at the University of Ibadan. After graduation, he briefly taught in Warri before returning to Ibadan to begin his Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). It was during this period that Professor Kay Williamson of the Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages recruited him as a research assistant for the Igbo Dictionary Project. Emenanjọ abandoned his PGDE to join the Linguistics Department in 1972, becoming a key figure in the newly introduced Igbo language curriculum.
Although Emenanjọ did not initially study Igbo, he quickly became a crucial asset to the department. He pursued postgraduate studies in linguistics, eventually earning his Master’s degree with a focus on Igbo as his base language. His early work as an Igbo editor at Oxford University Press set the stage for his influence on Igbo literature. Through his efforts, novels like Tony Uchenna Ubesie’s Isi Akwụ Dara n’Ala were published, expanding the length and scope of Igbo literature to meet international standards.
Professor Emenanjọ’s academic journey continued as he contributed to various educational institutions, including Alvan Ikoku College of Education, where he served as Head of the Igbo Department from 1978 to 1980, and as Dean of the School of Arts from 1981 to 1983. In 1981, he earned his PhD in Igbo Syntax from the University of Ibadan. By 1984, he was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, quickly rising to the rank of Professor of Igbo Linguistics. He later became the first Executive Director of the National Institute of Nigerian Languages in Aba.
A prolific writer and scholar, Professor Emenanjọ’s works have become foundational in Igbo studies. His classic biographies, such as F.C. Ọgbalụ: His Times, Vision, and the Igbo Language: An Overview (1995), and his essays, poems, and grammar books, including Elements of Modern Igbo Grammar (1978) and A Grammar of Contemporary Igbo (2015), are widely respected. His literary criticism, especially of social and governmental structures, was both sharp and influential. As a grammarian, his contributions extended far beyond Igbo, with works like Multilingualism, Minority Languages, and Language Policy in Nigeria (1990).
Notably, Professor Emenanjọ was an early champion for Igbo drama and poetry. His editorial leadership at Oxford University Press led to the publication of the first Igbo drama book, Udo Ka Mma (1974), and the first Igbo anthology, Akpa Uche (1975). These contributions opened the floodgates for hundreds of subsequent Igbo literary works.
A central figure in the Society for the Promotion of Igbo Language and Culture (SPILC), Professor Emenanjọ also served on the Igbo Standardization Committee and played a critical role in organizing Igbo language workshops. He held memberships in numerous professional organizations, including the Igbo Studies Association, Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), and the Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN).
In 2001, the Imo State Government honoured him with a prestigious lecture at the Ahịajiọkụ Lecture Series, where he presented on “Igbo or Igboid: Igbo Language and Igbo Civilization.” He also delivered the inaugural Odenigbo Lecture with the topic Olu m Efula.
Professor Nọlue Emenanjọ passed away in 2016, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Igbo scholarship, education, and literature. His impact on Igbo culture and language is immeasurable, and his works continue to inspire linguists, educators, and writers. He published over 100 books and numerous articles and was a vital figure in Nigerian education, serving as an external examiner and moderator for universities and colleges across the country.
Professor Nọlue Emenanjọ may be gone, but his legacy lives on through his groundbreaking contributions to the Igbo language, literature, and education. His name remains a beacon of excellence for scholars, writers, and educators
