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Abstract

Many people wonder why Nigeria, with so many local languages and English as the official language, should bother about learning and speaking French language. The government of Sani Abacha saw the need for Nigeria to speak French when in 1996, he pronounced French as the second official language for Nigeria. Unfortunately, the pronouncement has remained on paper as the policy was never implemented. This neglect has neither helped the country nor its citizens. The role of language in every aspect of life in the society cannot be over-emphasized. Multilingualism has many benefits and Nigeria needs to key in especially as it relates to international languages. French language occupies a strategic position on the international scene today. It is a language of development, industry, trade and diplomacy. It can help promote sustainable economic growth and human development which will in turn, translate into a better quality of life for Nigerians. This paper intends to highlight the role French language can play in national development in Nigeria and the need for the country to become French literate in spite of the presence of English which has been there since the colonial days. These two major international languages can facilitate national development in Nigeria.

Kate Ndukauba