FRENCH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AS A TOOL FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IN WEST AFRICA: A NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This paper explores the role of linguistic competence in fostering economic collaboration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). While the argument that French proficiency could enhance Nigeria’s economic integration with Francophone neighbours is compelling, the study warrants critical scrutiny regarding its assumptions and feasibility. The author posits that Nigeria’s predominantly Anglophone orientation creates barriers to trade, diplomacy and labour mobility in Francophone-dominated ECOWAS. The paper highlights policy gaps in Nigeria’s educational system, which prioritises English over French despite the country’s geographic and economic ties to French-speaking West Africa. However, the analysis tends to overemphasize language as the primary obstacle to integration, potentially underestimating other structural challenges such as political instability, infrastructural deficits, and non-tariff trade barriers. Methodologically, the study leans on theoretical frameworks of linguistic imperialism and regional integration but lacks robust empirical evidence to substantiate the direct economic benefits of French proficiency for Nigerian businesses and professionals. Furthermore, the paper does not sufficiently address the socio-political resistance to language policy shifts in Nigeria, where English remains a unifying lingua franca amidst diverse indigenous languages. While the study makes a valuable contribution to discourse on language and economic integration, its policy recommendations such as compulsory French education may be overly optimistic without considering implementation challenges, including funding, teacher shortages, and public apathy. A more nuanced approach, balancing linguistic diversification with pragmatic economic reforms, might strengthen the argument. Overall, the paper raises important questions but requires deeper interdisciplinary research to validate its claims.