Student Perceptions of French Language as a Career Asset in the North-West Geopolitical Zone

Career-related perceptions of French language study are powerful drivers of student motivation and programme choice, yet the specific career asset narratives constructed by students in the North-West geopolitical zone, where proximity to Niger Republic gives French a practical regional dimension, have not been empirically documented. This study examines student perceptions of French language as a career asset among undergraduates at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Northwest University Kano, and Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero. A descriptive survey design was employed, with a structured questionnaire capturing career aspiration profiles, perceived French language utility ratings across fourteen career domains, and information sources shaping career beliefs. The questionnaire was administered to 340 students from French and non-French departments. Results show that French was rated as a high-value career asset by 71% of French department students and by 48% of non-French department students, a significantly higher cross-disciplinary recognition rate than found in comparable studies from South-East universities. Border trade, ECOWAS civil service, and United Nations career pathways generated the highest perceived French utility ratings. Students cited family members with cross-border experience as the most influential sources of career information about French. Female students rated French utility for diplomatic and organisational careers significantly higher than male students did. The study recommends targeted French career information events at North-West universities and structured engagement with border trade associations to strengthen the perceived career relevance of French study. Keywords: French language, career perceptions, North-West Nigeria, university students, language motivation