Nigerian French teachers protest JAMB’s exclusion of international French certifications

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The University French Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (UFTAN) has raised concerns over the recent decision by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to exclude pre-degree certificates as valid qualifications for admission into Nigerian universities.

French educators have been alarmed by the removal of internationally recognized French certifications, such as the Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française (DELF) and the Baccalauréat.

UFTAN expressed its objections during its 25th Conference and Annual General Meeting, themed “French Teaching in Nigeria in a Digital Age: Challenges and Prospects.”

The association argued that this decision diminishes the significance of these globally accepted qualifications, which play a crucial role in promoting French language education in Nigeria.

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In a communiqué signed by UFTAN President, Prof. Mufutau Tijani, and Secretary, Prof. Richard Ajah, the association called for the intervention of the Nigeria French Language Village (NFLV) and the French Embassy in Nigeria to resolve the issue.

UFTAN emphasized the need for a solution that upholds French language education and ensures that students with relevant certifications are not unjustly barred from university admissions.

Despite this concern, UFTAN praised the quality of education at the Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV) in Badagry and encouraged French departments across universities to continue sending students to the mandatory Language Immersion Programme (LIP).

“The abrupt de-recognition of DELF, Baccalaureate, and other pre-degree certificates by JAMB is deeply concerning,” UFTAN stated, underscoring the need for cooperation between its leadership, the NFLV, and the French Embassy to restore recognition of these certificates.