The assimilation policy in French West Africa failed primarily because many Africans resisted being culturally assimilated into French norms and values. They wanted to retain their own cultural identities and resist the imposition of foreign cultural practices.

These are some of the other reasons the French Policy of Assimilation failed;

1. The varied African cultures made it difficult for them to be absorbed into the French culture

2. The Africans were not able to get the French type of education

3. The Africans were not willing to become Christians 

4. They forced opposition from the Muslims

5. The French did not compete with the Africans for cabinet posts and commercial activities

6. African traditional rulers feared they would lose their position

7. French traders feared competition, so they opposed the system

8. It was expensive to implement the system because of the vastness of the French empire.