Isiaka Dauda

I hail from Imeko-Afon of Yewa North Ogun State, Nigeria. And I grew up in a bilingual environment; a border town between Nigeria and Republic of Benin. This of course gave me the opportunity to be exposed to French and English language at a very tender age. Indeed it was a great experience as I later joined a French school for my basic and high schools in the Republic of Benin.

After earning my A-level certificate (Francophone Baccalaureate) from Lyceé Toffa 1er (Porto-Novo), I then joined the Lagos State University (LASU); Nigeria as a Direct Entry student in 2013, where I  obtained a B.A in French (1st Class Hons.) and an M.A. in French Linguistics

(Distinction) as the overall best graduating student in the faculty of Arts respectively. Presently, I am an Assistant Lecturer of French Language in the institution.

I am very passionate about Yoruba culture and Nigeria indigenous literature in general. I see Language as a tool to curb instability and eradicate corruption in Africa and West Africa sub-region in particular. Thus, my love for sociolinguistics and of course my choice for the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures at the University of Calgary for my doctorate degree (Fall 2021).

I speak fluently Yoruba, French, English and Basic Portuguese and Arabic. My favourite novel is Le soleil des independances de Ahmadou Kourouma. While my favourite movie is Roots: the Saga of an American Family by American author Alex Haley. I also enjoy watching football, making new friends and listening / interpreting Yoruba talking drum.

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