BAZE UNIVERSITY ABUJA
Post Graduate School
IRD 715 23A - POLITICS OF FRANCOPHONE AFRICA
Department of International Relations and Diplomacy
Lecturer: Dr. Tanko Mahmood Ahmed, fwc
Week 1: Mon 16 Jan 2023
General Introduction

Background
• The modern world is divided into spheres of
influence with historical origins from the era
of building empires to the age of creating
nation-states.
• This processed featured the socio-cultural
expansion to outreached colonialism by super-
powers across the world.
• Among the European colonial ‘masters’ is
France from which the syntagmatic
‘francophone’ originates.

The Francophone Sphere
• The francophone sphere is the linguistic
geopolitical group of nations sharing common
French socio-cultural, economic and political
identities.
• Nigeria is entirely surrounded by francophone
countries of land border and parallel coastal space.
• Thus, Nigeria’s interests, security and diplomatic
considerations are strongly influenced by its
francophone neighbourhood.

Course Dimensions
• The course features online and physical interactive
lectures, exercises, individual assignments across the
twelve weeks of the Trimester.
• Each class session is preceded by background notes,
instructions, and discussions on weekly topics.
• It offers introductory themes, core issues, current
events, and conclusive discourse or tutorials on national
security and national interest.
• Students are encouraged to be original, resourceful,
innovative, participate fully in all activities and adhere
strictly to the University's rules and academic ethics.

Course Time Table
Week Day/Date Topic
WK1 Mon 16 Jan General Introduction to Politics of Francophone Africa (PFA)
WK2 Mon 23 Jan Historical Background to Politics of Francophone Africa
WK3 Mon 30 Jan Concepts, Theories,and Methods in the Politics of Francophone Africa
WK4 Mon 06 Feb Francophone Africa in Regional and Global Environment
WK5 Mon 13 Feb Francophone Africa and French Foreign Relations
WK6 Mon 20 Feb Nigeria in the Francophone Neighbourhood
WK7 Mon 27 Feb Francophone Africa in a Rapidly Changing World
WK8 Mon 06 Mar Comparative Anglo and Franco Foreign Policies
WK9 Mon 13 Mar New Trends in the Politics of Francophone Africa
WK10 Mon 20 Mar PFA and Nigeria’s National Interest, Security, and Diplomacy
WK11 Mon 27 Mar Course Recap
WK12 Mon 03 Apr Tutorials/Study Visits to Relevant Agencies

Individual Introductions/Assignment
• Student’s Name:
• Field of Study at Master’s Level:
• Knowledge of the PFA
• Relevance of PFA to your Field of Study:
• Expectations from the Course Programme:
• Write in 300-500 words
• Submit by Friday 20 Jan 2023