The Embassy of France in Nigeria has partnered with the Nigeria French Language Village (NFLV) to strengthen French language teaching across Nigerian higher institutions.
The collaboration was unveiled during a three-day training programme at the village in Badagry, Lagos, on Monday.
Mrs Magaly Lasange, French Language Attaché, said the initiative followed sustained requests from teachers seeking better training and institutional support.
‘This programme directly answers demands from French teachers for improved teaching standards and stronger institutional backing in Nigeria’, she said.
Lasange noted that while French remains strategically important for Nigerians, concerns persist about opportunities available to proficient speakers.
She disclosed that a 2024 audit exposed major gaps in teaching quality, inadequate equipment and limited learning resources in many universities.
‘The audit highlighted challenges in teaching standards, availability of equipment and, importantly, weak links with the private sector’, she said.
She added that the partnership would mobilise new books, digital tools and training opportunities within Nigeria and neighbouring Francophone countries.
‘Over the next three days, we will design practical responses, secure resources and expand professional training for teachers’, she said.
Lasange expressed optimism that the initiative would help train a new generation of French teachers nationwide.
Prof. Samuel Oladipo, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria French Language Village, Proc described the programme as a strategic boost for staff and students.
‘This is a train-the-trainer course. Our staff will acquire new skills and, in turn, train others who will teach French across Nigeria’, he said.
Oladipo said the village, regarded as a national hub for French studies, attracts students from institutions across the country.
He revealed that the French government would provide technical support and additional teaching tools under the renewed collaboration.
‘Two years ago, ten of our staff trained at the University of Caen Normandy through the embassy’s support.
‘We are confident more staff will benefit from similar international exposure this year’, Oladipo said.
The programme is expected to enhance linguistic competence and reposition French studies within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
