Making French Language a Cultural Asset for the Future
Yinka Olatunbosun
A vibrant mix of film screenings, French cuisine, poetry, and karaoke defined the 2026 International Day of Francophonie celebration held at Alliance Française Lagos (Mike Adenuga Centre), Ikoyi, on Friday, March 20. Organised by the Consulate General of France in collaboration with the Consulate General of Switzerland and the Embassy of Canada in Nigeria, the event presented a rich cultural programme aimed at promoting the French language and strengthening Francophone solidarity.
Lagos audiences were treated to three notable films reflecting the diversity of Francophone cinema: Un monde merveilleux (A Wonderful World, France), Une Colonie (A Colony, Canada), and Tambour battant (Switzerland).
Anchored on the theme “Un Monde à Venir” (“A World to Come”), with a special focus on “Génération Paix” (“Generation Peace”), the celebration highlighted the role of young people in shaping a sustainable future.
The day culminated in an awards ceremony for an inter-school competition involving secondary school students across Lagos. Wellspring College emerged winner, followed by Riverbank Secondary School in second place and Greensprings Secondary School, Lekki, in third. Attendees also explored a “French Bazaar,” featuring tastings of Nigerian and Francophone dishes, alongside poetry performances, live music, a DJ set blending French and English sounds, and a karaoke session of popular Francophone songs.
Speaking at the event, the Consul General of France, Laurent Favier, outlined the four core missions of Francophonie: promoting French as a shared language while celebrating linguistic diversity; advancing human rights and democratic values; supporting higher education and research—highlighting that 22 Nigerian universities are now affiliated with the French Research Centre—and building partnerships for future generations.
In a brief media interaction, Favier explained the significance of the annual celebration.
“Francophone countries celebrate the French language every March 20. While there are many activities, the focus remains on the language itself,” he said.
“Each year, the theme changes. This year, it is about the future—how we imagine the best or the worst of what lies ahead. To support students, we provide ten words around which they can build stories. Participants came from the FCT, Plateau, Oyo, and Lagos States. The La Compete Awards ceremony was held at Alliance Française, Ikeja.”
On the role of French in cultural diplomacy, he added:
“French is a working language in many international organisations, including the UN and the EU, and is widely spoken across the world. For anyone pursuing an international career—whether in the public or private sector—speaking French is a major advantage. It is more than a language; it is a tool for engagement.”
The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, echoed similar sentiments in his closing remarks.
“As a French-speaking Canadian, this event holds special meaning for me. For over 59 years, Canada has supported Francophonie as a unique project that brings together governments through a shared language and common values.
“Canadian Francophonie is both diverse and dynamic. More than 10 million Canadians can converse in French across all provinces and territories. This linguistic and cultural resilience is central to our national identity. Our participation in Francophonie promotes diversity and advances shared priorities—peace and security, human rights, the inclusion of women and youth, and cooperation toward a sustainable future.”
