The University French Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (UFTAN) has expressed 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.
The exclusion of internationally recognized French certifications, such as the Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française (DELF) and the Baccalaureat, has drawn concern among French educators.
UFTAN raised these 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 the decision undermines the value of these globally accepted qualifications, which are key to advancing French language education in Nigeria.
In a communiqué jointly signed by UFTAN President, Prof. Mufutau Tijani, and Secretary, Prof. Richard Ajah, the association called on the leadership of the Nigeria French Language Village (NFLV) and the French Embassy in Nigeria to intervene and resolve the issue.
UFTAN emphasized the need for a solution that supports the advancement of French language teaching and ensures students with relevant qualifications are not unfairly excluded from university admissions.
However, the association commended the high-quality instruction at the Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV) in Badagry and encouraged all university French departments to continue sending their students for 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, stressing the importance of collaboration between its leadership, the NFLV, and the French Embassy to reinstate the recognition of these certificates.