Students in Nigerian senior secondary schools will now have the opportunity to learn Mandarin, as the Chinese language has officially been added to 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.
The Chinese Corner initiative, sponsored by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation as part of its corporate social responsibility, provides students with both educational and cultural resources to learn Mandarin and appreciate Chinese culture.
Hayyo described the inclusion of Mandarin as a visionary step, highlighting the global importance of the language in commerce, education, and tourism.
“The FCT has been very forward-thinking in introducing Chinese education early enough through these Corners,” Hayyo said. “Chinese Mandarin has the largest number of speakers in the world. Our decision to delve into Chinese language and culture is a wise move.”
Building bridges between cultures
The newly inaugurated Corner is the 14th in the FCT, adding to a network of centres across the territory designed to enhance cultural exchange between Nigeria and China. Students and teachers benefit from access to learning materials, resources, and capacity-building programmes, with opportunities for scholarships in China.
Yang Jianxing, Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, emphasised that the initiative strengthens the bilateral friendship between the two countries. “The Chinese Corners serve as a link connecting Chinese and Nigerian cultures, a bridge bringing young people closer together,” he said.
A growing initiative
Dr. Muhammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, noted that the first Chinese Corner was established in 2013 at GSS Garki, with additional centres added over the years. Two more centres are currently in development, supported by prominent Chinese companies in Nigeria.
The inclusion of Mandarin follows the Federal Government’s comprehensive revision of the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum, which takes effect in the 2025/2026 academic session.
International languages such as French and Arabic have long been offered as optional subjects, and Mandarin now joins this list.
A milestone in Nigerian education
The Chinese Embassy recently donated 15 sets of teaching materials and cultural books to support the rollout of Mandarin education across Nigerian schools. With the inauguration of the 14th Chinese Corner, educators and students alike are poised to benefit from a richer, more globally connected educational experience.
“The inauguration of this Chinese Corner is not an end, but a new starting point for cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria,” Yang said, underscoring the long-term vision behind the programme.