Department of French, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, was established in 1983, a year after the inception of the university. The first Head of Department was Dr. Debe Osaji of the University of Lagos who was then on Sabbatical Leave. There were then five (5) lecturers. The first set of students, six in number, graduated in July, 1997. Due to logistic problems, the Department was phased out in 1989 after producing 3 sets of graduates of French (Single Honours). With the establishment of the Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry in 1992, French study was resuscitated in the university and a combined honour programme was introduced. Since then, the department has produced twenty five sets. At present, the department has seven (7) full-time lecturers with specialization in Language and Linguistics, Translation, African Francophone Literature, African and Caribbean Comparative Literatures, French Literature and Civilization.

Philosophy

The philosophy of Department of French, Ekiti State University is to evolve a department that will serve as a community of scholars, a seat of learning, a centre of liberal education and an agent of national and international development, a vehicle for national understanding, for propagation of teaching, advancement of knowledge through research and provision of service to society.

 Aims and Objectives

The department aims at producing graduates who possess exposure to the structure of French language, and adequate exposure to French Language and Linguistics, Francophone Literature, Civilization and Translation. It also aims at promoting the teaching and learning of French as useful means of communication and to enhance progress in economic, intellectual and socio-cultural life of the nation. The kind of training given to students will be such as would enable them to:

1. comprehend and insightfully analyze literary texts in the language,
2. communicate fluently with people whose first or second language is French, 
3. translate skillfully from English into French literary, pragmatic and technical texts and
4. undertake postgraduate studies in French language, Translation, French literature, African literature written in French.

The Mission Statement

To offer high quality programmes in all areas of French studies to both undergraduate and postgraduate students and make them contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the nation and facilitate international relations.

List of Staff in the Department

A. Academic Staff

1. Prof S.O. Kolawole
2. Prof A. Salawu
3. Prof B.S Moruwawon
4. Dr O. A. Gbadegesin
5. Dr. P.S. Olusanya
6. Dr. B.O. Morakinyo
7. Dr. S. Salami

B. Non Teaching Staff

1. Mrs. M. F. Ogunniyi (Senior Admin Officer)
2. Mrs. A.S. Oluwasae (Senior Data Processing Officer)