Nigeria — The Federal Government has officially approved the inclusion of Chinese Mandarin as one of the foreign languages to be taught in senior secondary schools across the country, following the recent review of the national curriculum.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Danlami Hayyo, during the inauguration of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja.
Why Mandarin?
According to Dr. Hayyo, the decision reflects the government’s recognition of the global importance of the Chinese language.
“Mandarin has the largest number of speakers in the world, and today it has become the language of commerce, education, and tourism. Our decision to delve into Chinese education and culture is a wise move,” he said.
He explained that the FCT was already ahead of other regions in Nigeria, having introduced Chinese Corners — cultural and educational centres sponsored by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) — in several schools.
Cultural Exchange and Opportunities
The newly inaugurated Chinese Corner at GSS Tudun Wada is the 14th in the FCT. Dr. Hayyo highlighted that these centres have opened doors for better cultural understanding, student exchange opportunities, and capacity-building programs for Nigerian teachers in China.
Speaking on behalf of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Dr. Hayyo also commended the Chinese Embassy for its continued support, quoting a proverb:
“Hai nei cun zhiji, tianya ruo bi lin,” which translates to “A bosom friend brings distant lands near.”
China’s Perspective
The Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Yang Jianxing, emphasized that the establishment of Chinese Corners began 12 years ago as part of efforts to strengthen China–Nigeria friendship.
“The Chinese Corner has become a link connecting cultures, a bridge narrowing the hearts of young people from both countries, and one of the most popular cultural spots in Abuja,” he said.
Yang further assured that China would continue supporting Nigeria in areas of education, culture, and diplomacy, noting that the new Corner marks “a fresh starting point for cultural exchanges.”
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Also speaking, Dr. Muhammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, described the initiative as proof of the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. He added that the Chinese Corners provide:
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Access to Mandarin language learning
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Scholarships for Nigerian students in China
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Cultural and artistic collaboration between the two countries
He recalled that the first Chinese Corner was set up in 2013 at GSS Garki, with more added over the years, including one in Wuse Zone 3 in 2024. Two additional centres are already being planned with support from Chinese companies.
Curriculum Update
The inclusion of Mandarin follows the Federal Government’s comprehensive curriculum review announced earlier this month. The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) confirmed that implementation would begin with the 2025/2026 academic session.
In the new curriculum, French, Arabic, and Chinese have been listed as optional international languages for senior secondary schools.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria recently donated 15 sets of teaching and cultural materials to Nigerian schools to aid the rollout of Chinese language education.