Economic Viability of Arabic Skit Making in South West, Nigeria

Abstract

From the time immemorial, Arabic language has become a commercial tool that is navigating towards the means of livelihood of particular set of people through their commercial engagements both at the local and international level of merchandise activities. At the international level, the position of Arabic Language at the United Nations (UN) and Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as well as African Union (AU) can never be neglected regarding its economic roles playing in the committee of oil producing nations, and other diplomatic engagements. Nevertheless, the experts in Arabic language have also defined many means in commercializing their proficiency beyond teaching of Arabic language in their madāris (Islamic Schools) and other classes of study. With the advent of social media, many handlers of various channels of social media contents have explored the medium in exhibiting their talents and content creations in skit making in standard Arabic Language that at the end earned them huge amount of income, which at the same time deciphered to economic growth and benefit in our society. This research paper is an attempt to identify some of the so-called Arabic Skit makers in Southwestern part of Nigeria and critically appraise the contents of their skits. Descriptive and Analytical method would be strictly adhered to in given a detailed analysis of the Skit contents. Findings show that this is modern adventure is greatly having positive impacts on many Arabists as it has taken them out of poverty-stricken situations that usually combat the Arabic language experts in Southwestern part of Nigeria. The study concludes that Arabic skit making is the way to go in this modern era of globalization and therefore should be sustained.