An Investigation of French Language Attrition Among Nigerian University Alumni

Language attrition, the progressive loss of acquired language competence following the cessation of regular use and formal instruction, is a recognised phenomenon in second language acquisition research, yet its trajectory among Nigerian graduates who studied French at university has not been documented. This study investigates French language attrition among alumni of the Department of French at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, focusing on self-reported competence changes, frequency of post-graduation use, and factors associated with retention or attrition. A retrospective survey design was employed, with an online questionnaire administered to 175 alumni who had graduated between five and fifteen years prior to the study. The questionnaire assessed self-rated competence across four skills, post-graduation French use patterns, professional contexts of French use, and participation in language maintenance activities. Results indicate that alumni employed in sectors with regular French use, including international organisations, the civil service, and cross-border commerce, showed significantly lower self-reported attrition than those in domestic employment contexts with no French exposure. Oral production skills showed the steepest self-reported decline, while reading skills showed the greatest retention. Only 22% of respondents had pursued any form of post-graduation French language practice. The study recommends integration of lifelong language maintenance strategies into French degree programmes and establishment of alumni professional French networks. Keywords: language attrition, French language, university alumni, language maintenance, Nigeria