The University French Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (UFTAN), on Sunday, expressed concern over the neglect of French language education in Nigerian universities, warning that the situation could have far-reaching negative consequences for the country.

The association highlighted the insufficient number of French language teachers in Nigeria, describing it as a troubling trend that requires immediate attention.

Speaking at the UFTAN conference in Abuja, the National President of UFTAN and a lecturer at the University of Abuja, Prof. Mufutau Tijani, called on the government and educational authorities to take deliberate steps to revitalize French language education in universities across the country.

Prof. Tijani stressed that French is a critical language for Nigerians, offering opportunities in international relations, trade, and commerce.

He noted that UFTAN is collaborating with the French Embassy in Nigeria through the Fresh Up Your Career (FAIR) program, which aims to improve the employability of French language students in Nigeria.

He described the neglect of French language education as a severe oversight that demands urgent attention.

He said: “The National Policy on Education recognizes French as Nigeria’s second official language and mandates its teaching at the lower secondary level,

“Moreover, the teaching of French remains a priority for many universities, which are convinced of the importance of this language given the economic and diplomatic links that unite Nigeria with neighboring French-speaking countries.

“While this statutory and socio-political framework should allow for the optimal development of the French language in schools and universities, many challenges remain to train young learners of French in the best possible way, and to make them competitive on the job market.

He further lamented the lack of opportunities for students to practice French, adding that, “When students learn French, there are limited avenues to practice outside the classroom. Unlike other languages, French speakers are not readily available in the environment to facilitate conversational learning.”

In her remarks, the Director of Center for Learning Resources at Covenant University, Ada Peter, proposed integrating French with other academic disciplines.

She said: “For example, pairing French with international relations or digital humanities could make the language more attractive to students. However, the key is ensuring that the curriculum equips students with employable skills.”

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She also encouraged all departments of French in Nigerian universities to continue sending their students to the Nigeria French Language Village (NFLV) for the mandatory Language Immersion Programme (LIP).

In his address, the coordinator of the Atualumikho Nanja project, Henry Feyi, highlighted efforts to train 150 French language teachers across five states, Enugu, Oyo, Lagos, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Feyi said: “We have enhanced their speaking skills and supported their enrollment in international certification exams, with excellent results.

“The Atualumikho Nanja project also includes training for Francophone journalists to improve their reporting skills, in partnership with organizations like Radio France Internationale (RFI).”

He noted that the project involves working with 10 public schools per state, totaling 50 schools, and aims to strengthen French language education at the grassroots level.

He reiterated the urgent need to prioritize French language education, emphasizing its importance for Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic engagement.

The association called on stakeholders to invest in programs that align with market demands and foster bilingual professionals capable of thriving in global contexts.

The French Embassy convened members of the ANEUF association, alongside representatives from various institutional and educational organizations, to evaluate the progress of the project. Discussions centered on initial findings and the necessary actions to enhance the teaching and learning environment for French in Nigeria.