Mandarin, the official Chinese language, has officially been added to the list of foreign languages taught in senior secondary schools across Nigeria.
This development follows the recent overhaul of the national curriculum by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).
The announcement was made by Dr. Danlami Hayyo, Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), during the inauguration of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja.
These Chinese Corners, educational and cultural centre, are sponsored by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“Mandarin has the highest number of speakers globally and is becoming a major language in commerce, education, and tourism. Our decision to embrace Chinese education and culture is forward-thinking,” Dr. Hayyo said.
He emphasized that the FCT has taken the lead by introducing Chinese Corners in schools ahead of the national rollout.
With 14 now established, these centres aim to strengthen educational and cultural ties between Nigeria and China. Hayyo also noted that FCT teachers have benefited from training programs in China.
Speaking on behalf of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Hayyo thanked the Chinese government for its ongoing support and ended his remarks with a Chinese proverb:
“Hai nei cun zhiji, tianya ruo bi lin” – “A bosom friend brings distant lands near.”
Chinese Embassy Counsellor Yang Jianxing described the initiative as a symbol of growing China-Nigeria friendship.
He said the first Chinese Corner was established in 2013, and it has since become a “bridge” connecting the youth of both countries.
“This is not the end but a new beginning in cultural exchange,” Yang added.
Dr. Muhammed Ladan, Director of the FCT Secondary Education Board, noted that the Chinese Corners are more than cultural space, they offer resources for learning Mandarin and pathways to scholarships in China.
Additional centres are planned, supported by other Chinese firms operating in Nigeria. Just last week, the Chinese Embassy donated 15 sets of Mandarin language materials and cultural books to support the curriculum’s rollout.
The new curriculum, confirmed by NERDC in a circular dated September 8, 2025, will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session. Alongside Mandarin, other international languages like French and Arabic remain optional.
