CHAPTER FOUR: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BENUE STATE AND FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY (FCT)

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS OF DATA AND DISCUSSION

4.1    Introduction                       

This chapter presents and analyses the data collected. The analysis is based on students’ NECO Oral French scores in 2Q00, 2001 and 2002 collected from the two states (FCT and Benue State) under study. Comparison is then made on students’ performance according to state and the year under study.

Research Question 1: What is the nature of Benue State SS3 students’ and FCT students’ performances in NECO Oral French examination over the years?

Table 1: Performances of SS3 students in NECO Oral French in 2000-2002 in Benue State and FCT Secondary Schools.

Scores in 2000	Percent in 2000	Scores in 2001	Percent in 2001	Scores in 2002	Percent in 2002
40	52	35	30	85	95
40	48	42	30	42	66
8	21	52	44	16	67
7	15	60	45	58	79
15	34	42	41	6	8
18	40	76	59	70	51
16	33	44	80	67	50
40	59	59	38	37	41
31	52	45	34	38	41
41	61	60	49	65	50
42	26	36	23	82	51
39	19	85	42	77	37
21	21	44	45	33	34
40	31	60	47	29	22
19	25	33	43	25	32
		62	78	17	22
		76	87	11	13
		30	44	38	56
		18	19	76	81
		26	28	66	72
		23	21	86	79
		27	43	36	57
		76	79	20	21
		79	75	27	25
		73	56	57	44
		43	61	28	39
		88	65	47	35
		43	37	74	63
		38	31	84	69
		44	32	93	68
		31	38	51	62
		56	100
		39	100
417	77.65	1645	99.9	1541	99.35

Scores in 2000	Percent in 2000	Scores in 2001	Percent in 2001	Scores in 2002	Percent in 2002
37	30	83	67	4	3.0
43	26	98	60	22	14
30	29	67	64	8	8
40	31	72	57	15	12
29	18	61	39	67	43
27	18	53	36	67	46
33	33	1	1	67	66
28	16	96	54	54	30
29	17	89	51	55	32
26	17	62	41	65	42
40	19	90	42	86	40
35	18	69	36	89	46
24	17	39	28	76	55
37	21	59	33	82	46
43	22	64	33	88	45
14	7	93	49	80	43
41	24	64	38	64	3
36	17	89	43	80	39
25	16	77	49	54	35
30	16	76	41	80	43
		88	50	89	50
		88	51	83	49
		71	45	88	55
		66	42	90	58
		75	46	88	54
		78	48	86	52
				88	100
				87	100
				78	100
				85	100
647	63.67	1868	61.24	1894	74.39

The first part of table 1 shows the students’ performance in Benue State in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2000, the students’ total score was 417 or 77.65%, in 2001.their total score was 1645 or 99.93% while in the year 2002, the students total score was 1541 or 99.35%.

While the second part of table 1 shows the students’ Oral French performance in the three years under study in F.C.T. In the year 2000, the students’ total score was 647 or 63.67%. In 2001 the total score was 1868 or 61.24% and in 2002, their total score was 1894 or 74,39%. The students’ scores and percentages are also shown in the table.

Research Question 2a: Is there any significant difference in students’ Oral French performance within FCT in 2000, 2001 and 2002?

Table 2a: Comparison of FCT students’ performance in NECO Oral French in 2000, with their performance in 2001; their performance in 2000; with their performance in 2002; their performance in 2001; with their performance in 2002.

Test Scores Range	No. of Students in 2000	Percentage	No. of Students in 2001	Percent	No. of Students in 2002	Percentage
0-40 41-80 81-100	17 3 -	85 1.5 -	2 15 9	7.7 57.7 34.6	4 12 14	13.3 40 46.7
Total	20	100	26	100	30	100

Table 2a shows FCT students’ performance in NECO Oral French examinations in 2000, 2001 and 2002. A total of 20 students sat for NECO Oral French examinations in 2000. In that year 2000, 17 candidates or 85% of students that sat for the examinations scored between 0-40% while only 3 students or 1.5% scored between 41-80%. No student scored between 81-100% that year. In 2001, 2 students or 7.7% out of a total of 26 students that sat for the examinations scored between 0-40%, 15 students or 57:7% scored between 41-80% while 9 students or 34.6% scored between 81- 100. 30 students sat for the same examination in FCT in 2002. 4 students or 13.3% scored between 0-40, 12 students or 40% scored between 41-80 and 14 candidates or 46.7% scored between 8 1-100.

Research Question 2b: Is there any significant difference in students’ Oral French performance within Benue State in 2000, 2001 and 2002? Table 3b: Comparison of Benue State students’ performance in NECO Oral French in 2000, with their performance in 2001; their performance in 2000; with their performance in 2002; their performance in 2001; with their performance in 2002.

Test Scores Range	No. of Students in 2000	Percent	No. of Students in 2001	Percent	No. of Students in 2002	Percent
0-40 41-80 81-100	13 2 -	86.7 13.3 -	11 20 2	33.3 60.6 6.1	14 12 5	45.1 38.7 16.1
Total	15	100	33	100	31	100

Table 2b is the Benue State students’ performance in NECO Oral French in 2000, 2001 and 2002. From the table, it is observed that in 2000

15 candidates or 86.7% scored between 0-40%, 2 candidates or 13.3% scored between 41-80%, while no candidate scored between 80-100%.

In 2001, a total of 33 candidates sat for the examinations, 11 candidates or 33.3% scored between 0-40%, 20 candidates or 60.6% that sat for the examinations scored between 41-80%, while only 2 candidates or 6.1% scored between 81-100%. 31 candidates sat for NECO Oral French examinations in 2002, 14 candidates or 45.1% scored between 0-40%, 12 candidates or 38.7% scored between 41-80% and 5 candidates or 16.1% out of 31 candidates that sat for the examinations scored between 81-100%.

Research Question 3: Is there any significant difference between male and female students’ Oral French performance within each state over the years?

Table 3: Comparison of male students’ performance with female students performance within Benue State and comparison of male students’ performance with female students performance within FCT in NECO Oral French examinations.

Year	State	No. of Male Students & Scores			No. of Female Students & Scores
2000	Benue	Scores	No.	Percent	Scores	No.	Percent
		0-40 41-80 81-100	5 2 -	71 29 -	0-40 41-80 81-100	8 2 -	80 20 -
			7	100		10	100
	FCT	0-40 41-80 81-100	8 2 -	80 20 -	0-40 41-80 81-100	7 2 1	70 20 10
			10	100		10	100
2001	Benue	0-40 41-80 81-100	7 7 2	44 44 12	0-40 41-80 81-100	3 8 1	25 67 8
			16	100		12	100
	FCT	0-40 41-80 81-100	2 7 5	14 50 36	0-40 41-80 81-100	5 8 4	29 47 24
			14	100		17	100
2002	Benue	0-40 41-80 81-100	5 3 1	56 33 11	0-40 41-80 81-100	9 6 -	60 40 -
			9	100		15	100
	FCT	0-40 41-80 81-100	- 8 8	- 50 50	0-40 41-80 81-100	4 3 3	40 30 30
			16	100		10	100

Table 3 shows the Benue State and FCT male and female students performance in NECO Oral French examinations in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2000 in Benue State, 5 or 71 % out of 7 male students scored between O- 40%, 2 or 29% scored between 41 -80% while no candidate, scored up to 81-100%.

In the same year in the same state, out of 10 female students that sat for NECO Oral French examinations, 8 or 80% scored 0-40% and 2 or 20% scored between 41-80%. No candidate scored up to 81-100%.

In FCT in the same year 2000, out of 10 male students that sat for the examinations 8 or 80% scored between 0-40%, 2 or 20% scored 41-80% while nil scored 81-100%. 10 female students sat for the same examinations. 7 or 70% of them scored between 0-40%, 2 or 20% scored 41-80% and 1 or 10% scored 81-100%. .

In another year 2001, i Benue State, out of 16 students that sat for the examinations, 7 or 44% scored between 0-40%, 7 or 44% scored between 41-80% and 2 or 12% scored between 81-100%. In the same state in the same year, 12 female students sat for NECO Oral French examinations, 3 or 25% of them scored between 0-40%, 8 or 67% scored between 41-80% and 1 or 8% scored between 81-100%.

In FCT in the same year 2001, a total of 14 male students sat for the same examinations, 2 or 14% of them scored 0-40%, 7 or 50% scored between 41-80% and 5 or 36% scored 81-100%. A total of 17 female students sat for the same examinations in the same year in FCT, 5 or 29% of them scored between 0-40%, 8 or 47% scored between 41-80% and 4 or 24% scored between 81-100%.

In the year 2002, in Benue State, a total of 9 male students sat for NECO Oral French examinations, 5 or 56% of them scored between 0-40%, 3 or 33% scored between 41-80% and only 1 or 11% candidate scored between 81-100%. 15 female students sat for the same examinations from this same state, 9 or 60% of them scored 0-40%, 6 or 40% scored between 41 -80% and none of them was able to score up to 81- 100%.

In FCT in the same year 2002, out of 16 male students that sat for the same examinations, no candidate scored a low mark of 0-40%, 8 or 50% of the candidates scored between 41 -80% and another 8 or 50% candidates scored the highest mark of between 81-100%.

Research Question 4: Is there any significant difference in female students’ Oral French performance across the states over the years?

Table 4: Comparison of female students’ performance in Benue State with female students in FCT in NECO Oral French examinations in 2900, 2001 and 2002.

Year	State	No. of Female Students	Percent of Female Students	Score Range
2000	Benue	8 2 -	80 20 -	0-40 41-80 81-100
		10	100
	FCT	7 2 1	70 20 10	0-40 41-80 81-100
		10	100
2001	Benue	3 8 1	25 67 8	0-40 41-80 81-100
		12	100
	FCT	5 8 4	29 47 24	0-40 41-80 81-100
		17	100
2002	Benue	9 6 -	60 40 -	0-40 41-80 81-100
		15	100
	FCT	4 3 3	40 30 30	0-40 41-80 81-100
		10	100

Table 4 reflects the comparison of Benue State female students’ performance with FCT female students’ performance in NECO Oral French examinations during 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2000, a total of 10 female students sat for the same examinations ¡n Benue State. 8 or 80% of them scored between 41-80 and none of them scored 81-1 00.

While in FCT, 10 female students sat ‘for the same examinations in the same year. 7 or 70% of them scored between 0-40%, 2 or 20% scored between 41-80% and 1 or 10% scored between 81-100%.

12 female students sat for NECO Oral French examinations in 2001 in Benue State. 3 or 25% scored between 0-40%, 8 or 67% scored 41- 80%, I or 8% scored between 81-100%. But in FCT, out of 17 female students that sat for the same NECO Oral French examination in the same year 2001, 5 or 29% scored 0-40%, 8 or 47% scored between 41-80%, 4 or 24% scored 81-100%.

In another year 2002, 15 female students sat for NECO Oral French examinations in Benue State. 9 or 60% scored 0-40%, 6 or 40% scored 41- 80% none scored 81-100%. This ¡s compared with the performance of female students in FCT where a total of 10 female students sat for the same examinations in the same year. 4 or 40 % of them scored 0-40%, 3 or 30% scored 41-80%, 3 or 30% scored 81-100%.

Research Question 5: Is there any significant difference in male students’ Oral French performance across the states over the years?

Table 6: Comparison of male students’ performance ¡n Benue State with male students’ performance in FCT in NECO Oral French examinations in 2000, 2001 and 2002

Year	State	No. of Male Students	Percent of Male Students	Score Range
2000	Benue	5 2 -	71 29 -	0-40 41-80 81-100
		7	100
	FCT	8 2 -	80 20 -	0-40 41-80 81-100
		10	100
2001	Benue	7 7 2	44 44 12	0-40 41-80 81-100
		16	100
	FCT	2 7 5	14 50 36	0-40 41-80 81-100
		14	100
2002	Benue	5 3 1	56 33 11	0-40 41-80 81-100
		9	100
	FCT	- 8 8	- 50 50	0-40 41-80 81-100
		16	100

Table 5 is the comparison of male students’ performance, in NECO Oral French examinations in Benue State with the FCT male students’ performance in the same examinations in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002.

In Benue State in 2000, 7 or 100% students sat for the examinations. 5 or 71% scored low marks in the range of 0-40%, 2 or 29% scored 41- 80% and no student scored up to 81-100%.

In the same year in FCT a total of 10 or 100% male students sat for the same examination, 8 or 80% scored 0-40%, 2 or 20% scored 41-80%, nil scored up to 81-100%.

In 2001, 16 or 100% male students sat for NECO Oral French examinations in Benue State. 7 or 44% scored 0-40%, equal number of 7 or 44% scored 41-80%, 2 or 12% scored 81-100%. In FCT, the same year, 14 or 100% male students sat for the same examinations. 2 or 14% scored 0-14%, 7 or 50% scored 41-80% and 5 or 36% scored 81-100%.

While in the year 2002 in Benue State, 9 or 100% sat for NECO Oral French examinations. 5 or 56% scored 0-40%, 3 or 33% scored 41-80% and only 1 or 11% scored 81-100%.

In contrast, in FCT during the same year 2002, a total of 16 or 100% male students sat for the same examinations. No male student scored a low mark of 0-40%, 8 or 50% of the male students scored 41-80% and the remaining 8 or 50% scored the highest mark of 81-100%.

Research Question 6: Is there any significant difference in students’ Oral French performance between the two states over the years?

Table 6: Difference between Benue State students’ performances and FCT students’ performances in NECO Oral French examination in the year 2000, 2001, and 2002.

	Benue State			FCT
Year	No.	Percent	Score Range	No. of Students	Percent	Score Range
2000	13 4 -	77 23 -	0-40 41-80 81-100	15 4 1	75 20 5	0-40 41-80 81-100
	17	100		20	100
2001	10 15 3	36 54 10	0-40 41-80 81-100	7 15 9	23 48 29	0-40 41-80 81-100
	28	100		31	100
2002	14 9 1	58 38 4	0-40 41-80 81-100	4 11 11	15 42 42	0-40 41-80 81-100
	24	100		26	100

Table 6 shows the difference between Benue State students’ performance and FCT students’ performance in NECO Oral French examination in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002.

In 2000, a total of 17 students or 100% sat for the examinations in Benue State. A greater number of 13 students or 77 percent scored low marks of between 0-40%, 4 or 23% students scored 41-80%, none scored 81-100%.

But in FCT in the same year 2000, a total of 20 or 100% students took the examinations. 15 students or 75% of them scored between 0-40%, 4 or 20% scored 41-80% and I or 5% scored between 8 1-100%.

A total of 28 students or 100% of them sat for NECO Oral French examinations in Benue State in 2001. 10 or 36% scored between 0-40%, 15 or 54% scored 40-81%, 3 or 10% scored 81-100%. That same year 2O01, a total of 31 or 100% students sat for the same examinations in FCT.

7 or 23% of them scored between 0-40%, 15 or 48% scored 40-81%, 9 or 29% scored 81-100%.

24 or 100% students sat for the oral examinations En Benue State in 2002. 14 or 58% out of this number scored between 0-40%, 9 or 38% of them scored 41-80%, 1 or 4 scored 81-100%. As compared with FCT in the same year 2002, where a total of 26 or 10% students sat for the examinations. 4 or 16% of this number scored 0-40%, 11 or 42% of them scored 41-80% and another 11 or 42% scored the highest mark of 81- 100%. .

4.2    HYPOTHESES

Hypothesis 3a: There is no significant difference in students’ Oral French performance within FCT over the years.

Table 2a:1 ANOVA test of significant difference in F.C.T. students’ Oral French performance in 2000, 2001, 2002.

Source of Variance	DF	Mean Square	F.ratio (cal.)	F-ratio crit	Remarks
SS Within	62	583.66	16.0	19.5	NS
SS Between	6	9324
Total	68

As shown in table 2a.1, the calculated t value of 16.0 with a degree of freedom of 62 was smaller than the critical value of 19.5. This indicates that no significant difference existed in students’ Oral French performance within FCT between 2000-2002. Therefore, the null hypothesis is accepted

Hypothesis 2b: There is no significant difference in students’ Oral French performance within Benue state over the years.

Table 2b 1:  ANOVA test of significant difference in Benue State students’ Oral French performance/scores in 200-2002.

Source of Variance	Df	Mean Square	F-ratio (cal.)	F-ratio crit.	Remarks
SS Within	76	514.83	5.41	19.5	NS
SS Between	2	2787			NS
Total	78

From Table 2b.1 above, the calculated t value of 5.41 with a degree of freedom 76, was smaller than the critical value of 19.5. This indicates that no significant difference existed in students, oral French performance within Benue State between 2000-2002. Therefore, the null hypothesis is accepted.

Hypothesis 3: There is no significant difference between male and female students’ Oral French performance within each state over the years?

Table 3.1: t-Test on gender differences of Benue and F.C.T students’ performance in NECO Oral French in 2000-2002.

Year	State	N	Male Mean	SD	Female Mean	SD	t-Value	DF	T Critical	Remarks
2000	Benue FCT	15 20	30.6 32.9	3.82 2.71	24.6 31.1	3.42 3.02	3.18 1.40	13 18	1.11 1.734	S NS
2001	Benue FCT	33 26	53.8 75.0	4.18 5.11	46.1 69.14	4.49 3.79	5.09 3.35	31 24	1.696 1.79	S S
2002	Benue FCT	31 30	58.8 67.9	5.24 4.84	42.43 55.3	4.85 5.81	9.0 2.22	29 17	1.699 1.740	S S

As has been observed above, table 3 reveals the t-test on gender differences of Benue and FCT students’ performance in NECO Oral French in thee three years 2000, 2001 and 2002. In the year 2000 in Benue state,

the t- value of 3.18 is greater than the critical t-value of 1.11; while in FCT the t-value of 1.40 is less than critical value of 1.73.

The result on this table reveals that there is a significant difference between the male and female students with respect to Oral French performance in Benue State within the year 2000. The null hypothesis is then rejected. On the other hand, there is no significant difference between the male and female students as regards performance in Oral French in FCT. The null hypothesis is accepted.

In the year 2001, the t-value is 5.09, and the critical t-value is 1.696. The result reveals that there is a significant difference between the male and female students in Oral French performance within Benue State during the year 2001. The null hypothesis is rejected.

In the same year, in FCT, the t-value 3.35 is greater than the critical t-value 1.79. The result indicates that there is significant difference between the male and the female students in NECO Oral performance within FCT in the year 2001. The null hypothesis is rejected.

In 2002, in Benue State, the t-value is 9.0 the degree of freedom is 29 while the critical t-value is 1.699. The t-value is greater than the critical value. Therefore, there is significant difference in Benue State students’ performance in NECO Oral French in the year 2002. The null hypothesis is then rejected.

In FCT in the same year (2002), the t-value, degree of freedom and the critical t-value are 2.22, 17 and 1.740 respectively. The calculated t-value is greater than the critical t-value. The result shows that there is a significant difference between male and female students Oral French performance in FCT in the year 2002. Therefore the hypothesis is rejected. The t-test results over the three years 2000-2002 indicates that there were significant differences in NECO performances between male and female in the two states except for FCT in 2000.

Hypothesis 4: There is no significant difference in female students’ Oral French performance across the state over the years.

Table 4.1: t-Test of significant differences in female students’ performance across the states in the years 2000-2002.

	F.C.T			Benue State
Years	No.	Mean	SD	No.	Mean	SD	DF	t-Value	t-Critical	Remarks
2000	10	32.9	2.71	8	30.6	3.82	16	1.746	1.49	S
2001	17	75.0	4.48	12	46.1	4.48	27	16.00	1.703	S
2002	10	67.9	4.84	15	58.8	5.24	23	4.38	1.714	S

A statistical analysis of table 4 above indicates that the degree of freedom is 16, the calculated t-value of 1.746 is greater than the critical t-value of 1.49. There is significant difference ¡n female students’ performance in NECO Oral French across the states in 2000. The null hypothesis is rejected.

Table 4 also indicates that in 2001, the degree of freedom is 27, the t- value is 16.00 and the critical t is 1.703. The calculated t-value is greater than the critical t-value. The analysis reveals that there is a significant difference in the female students’ performance across the states in the year 2001. The null hypothesis is rejected.

In 2002 as shown in table 4, the degree of freedom is 23, the calculated t-value of 4.38 is greater than the critical t-value of 1.714. There is a significant difference in female students performance across the states in the year 2002. The null hypothesis is rejected.

Hypothesis 5: There is no significant difference in male students’ oral French performance across the states over the years.

Table 5.1: t-Test of significant difference in male students’ performance across the states in the years 200, 2001 and 2002.

	FCT			BENUE STATE
Years	No.	Mean	SD	No.	Mean	SD	t-Value	t-Critical	DF	Remarks
2000	10	31.1	3.00	7	24.6	3.34	4.15	1.753	15	S
2001	14	69.14	3.79	16	53.8	4.18	10.46	1.701	28	S
2002	16	55.3	5.81	9	42.43	4.85	5.90	1.714	23	S

Table 5 above shows the t-test of significant difference in male students’ performance across the states over the years under study. The critical value is 1.753, the t-value is 4.15 and the degree of freedom is 15. The calculated t-value is greater than critical t-value. This indicates that there is a significant difference in the male students Oral French performance across the states under study ¡n the year 2000. The null hypothesis is then rejected.

In 2001, the calculated t-value, the critical t-value and the degree of freedom for their performance are 10.46, 1.701 and 28 respectively. Therefore there is a significant difference in the performance of male student in FCT and Benue State in NECO Oral French examination in that year. The null hypothesis is rejected.

While in the year 2002, calculated t-value is 5.90, the critical t-value is 1.714 and the degree of freedom is 23. The calculate/t-value is greater than the critical t-value. The result reveals a significant difference in the male students’ Oral French performance across the state in the year 2002. The hypothesis is therefore rejected.

Hypothesis 6: There is no significant difference in the students’ Oral French performance between the two states over the years.

Table 6.1: t-Test of significant difference in students’ Oral French performance between the two states over the years.

	Benue State			FCT
Years	No.	Mean	SD	No.	Mean	SD	DF	t-Value	t-Critical	Remarks
2000	19	32.0	2.85	15	27.8	3.61	32	3.80	1.69	S
2001	33	71.8	4.51	26	49.8	4.36	57	18.7	1.671	S
2002	31	61.7	5.19	19	48.5	5.33	48	8.71	1.676	S

From table 6 above, it is observed that ¡n the year 2000 ¡n Benue State, The calculated t-value of 3.80 is greater than the critical t-value of 1.69 at 32 degree of freedom. This shows that there is significant difference in students’ performance across the two states in the year 2000. The hypothesis is rejected.

In 2001, the degree of freedom is 57 in both states. The calculated t- value of 18.7 is greater than the critical t-value of 1.671 at 0.05 level of significance. This means that there is a significant difference in students’ performance across the two states in 2Ò01. Therefore the hypothesis is rejected.

In the year 2002, in Benue State, the calculated t-value of 8.71 is greater than the critical t-value of 1.676 at 48 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of significance. There is significant difference in students’ performance across the two states in 2002. The null hypothesis is then rejected.

4.3    Discussion

A t-test is used to test the hypotheses in numbers 4, 5, 6, 7, to find out the significance differences in the students’ Oral French performance in Benue State and FCT. In hypothesis 3a and 3b, ANOVA is used to test the hypothesis.

In testing the hypotheses, the null hypotheses Ho and the alternate hypotheses Ha are stated. The significant level is at 0.05 and the value of the test statistics is calculated. The critical-t for observed data is also found with a degree of freedom.

In tables 1 and 2, a formal statistical analysis of the data indicates the students’ oral French performance in FCT and Benue State. In table 1, students performed better in FCT (1894 or 74.39%) in the year 2002; while in table 2 in Benue State, the students scored higher with a total score of 1645 or 99.93% in 2001. FCT students’ good performance in 2002 may be attributed to their improved interest in the learning of French Language, their privilege of being in Abuja, friendly environment their nearness to ECOWAS Secretariat Headquarter and French Embassy, motivation and their need for French language after their graduation - FCT being the centre of international activities in Nigeria. On the other hand, Benue State better performance in 2001 could be because of their interest and aptitude for French language. The method used in teaching them French may also be a contributing factor.

In tables 3.la and 3.lb, the result of the ANOVA test reveals that there is no significant difference in the students’ performance within each state in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. The reasons could be the uniformity with which the French embassy treats the states. This can be seen in the workshops and seminars organized by the French Embassy, Centre for French Teaching and Documentation (CFTD) for French teachers and students. In addition, oversea scholarships, books and instructional materials were distributed to pilot schools in each state of the Federation. Also, the presence of French Centres in each geographical zone of the country is a big asset.

In table 4 and 4.1, the result of the t-test on gender differences in Benue State and FCT students’ performance in NECO Oral French in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 shows that there is a significant difference in some cases while there is no significant difference in others. The expectation that female students may be more proficient in French than male students was contrary to what obtains in table 4. The male students performed better than the female students in Benue State and FCT in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. The present day male students’ desire to become journalists, diplomats and international businessmen must have accounted for these high scores and enrolment by boys. This higher number of male candidates that sat for the examination shows that boys are more interested in the French language. This in turn has a bearing on their oral performance.

Also, in table 4, it is observed that the female students’ poor performance in both states may be as a result of their subject choice, parental influence, lack of flair and interest for the French language. In other words, their future career affects their interest and aptitude for French language. Despite their supposed natural affiliation/inclination toward language learning, female candidates are out performed by their male counterparts.

The results of our study on tables 5 and 5.1, 6 and 6.1 of the t-test significances in female and male students’ performance across the states in the year 2001 and 2002 respectively indicate that there is a significant difference in all. It also indicates that the FCT female and male students’ mean scores are higher than those of Benue State. This in actual sense suggests the cosmopolitan nature of Abuja and the presence of qualified dedicated French teachers. The effect of this location could play a significant role in the individual differences. In view of these findings, it may be possible to draw the conclusion that the examination condition is not the same. FCT is a Federal Capital Territory of a country while Benue State is a local territory.

In table 7 and 7, 1 however, the mean scores of the Benue State students’ Oral French performance is higher than those of FCT.