The Lagos State government has announced plans to translate state laws from English to Yoruba language. The government says the aim is to enhance understanding and compliance among the Yoruba-speaking population.
The announcement was made during a meeting of stakeholders organized by the Law Reform Commission and the Lagos Bureau of Statistics on Thursday.
Mrs. Umul-Kulthum Ninilomo Bashar, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission, said, “Translating Lagos State laws into Yoruba is not just about language but also about empowering people by enabling them to access and comprehend the laws in their mother tongue.“
Bashar said they will be using OpenAI’s GPT-4 to achieve the translation. This innovative approach combines AI technology with cultural realities, he said. The project targets 70 laws annually and aims to create a digital Yoruba law library.
Stated Project’s Goals
Improved Public Confidence: Enhancing trust in the government through accessible laws.
Legal Literacy: Bridging the gap between legal jargon and everyday language.
Cultural Preservation: Preserving the Yoruba language for future generations.
Inclusive Governance: Fostering participation and understanding among citizens.
Mrs. Adejoke Deborah Olajide, Yoruba Consultant for the Lagos State House of Assembly, discussed the cultural significance of this translation. “Yoruba is the native language of a significant portion of the population… This initiative will bridge the gap between legal jargon and the everyday language spoken by the majority,” she said.
As laudable as the project is, critics argue that the government’s focus on only the Yoruba language and traditions creates the perception of an increasing trend of “Yorubanization of Lagos,” marginalizing other ethnic groups resident in the state – Nigeria’s commercial capital.
At its founding, Lagos was intended as a metropolitan, multicultural, and unifying city, drawing in citizens of diverse backgrounds and resources from all over Nigeria.
Lagos served as Nigeria’s capital from 1914 until the capital was moved to Abuja in 1992.
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