The French government, through its embassy in Nigeria, has trained 150 French teachers from Enugu, Oyo, Lagos, Plateau States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to enhance proficiency in the language and boost employability among Nigerians.
Speaking at the French Embassy in Abuja during an event marking World Teachers’ Day, Feyitimi Babajide, the Project Coordinator of Atua Lumi Ko Nainja and President of the French Teachers Association of Nigeria, highlighted the significance of the training.
According to Babajide, the initiative is part of a €600,000 investment by the French government, which also includes the construction of a university center in Badagry, Lagos, and specialized training for journalists. He noted that the teachers have been trained in modern teaching methods and are now certified to enhance the learning experience of their students.
“The project has also provided training for francophone journalists to improve their reporting, particularly for radio broadcasts,” Babajide added.
Professor Mufutau Tijani, a French and Applied Linguistics expert from the University of Abuja, expressed concern about the limited opportunities for students to practice French outside academic settings. He emphasized the need to create environments where students can utilize the language and benefit from its career prospects.
The collaboration also includes the French-Up Your Career initiative, designed to promote the employability of French students in Nigeria.
Ada Peter, Director of the Center for Learning Resources at Covenant University, suggested integrating French into other academic disciplines, such as international relations and digital humanities, to make the language more appealing and relevant to students. She advocated for a curriculum that combines language skills with employable expertise.
This initiative underscores France’s commitment to fostering bilingualism and enhancing Nigeria’s human capital development through the French language.
