French Language Village Emerges Winner of Inaugural Word-Wise Bilingual Varsity Debate

The Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV) has claimed victory in the first-ever Word-Wise Bilingual Series – University Edition, a competition designed to foster bilingualism, leadership, and stronger African integration. The four-day event saw NFLV defeat five other tertiary institutions in a rigorous contest.

The competition, organized by the Word-Wise Educational Support and Advancement Foundation in partnership with the Embassy of France in Nigeria, brought together student debaters from six universities across Nigeria's Southwest region. Participants from institutions including the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and Obafemi Awolowo University engaged in debates conducted in both English and French, tackling pressing national and continental issues.

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What impressed me most was not simply the quality of the debates, but the confidence and intentionality the students demonstrated, particularly during the Crossfire rounds.

Beyond traditional debates, the event featured an "Africa Solution Room." Here, finalists were challenged to develop practical solutions for critical challenges facing the continent, such as youth unemployment, education reform, governance, and regional integration. The organizers stated the initiative's goal is to demonstrate that language acquisition extends beyond the classroom, empowering young people with the confidence and skills needed to address real-world problems.

Madam Magaly Losange, Cooperation Attaché and Coordinator of the FEF-BAC Project at the French Embassy in Nigeria, commended the students' confidence and engagement. She highlighted the practical application of French language skills in spontaneous discussions and problem-solving, aligning with the FEF initiative's aim to use bilingualism as a tool for building confidence and expanding opportunities. Senami Ohiomokhare, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Word-Wise, added that the competition underscored bilingualism's role in cultivating a new generation of African leaders capable of bridging cultural and linguistic divides.

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At Word-Wise, we believe that every young person has a story worth telling and a voice worth hearing.