The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) has called for the expansion of Mandarin language education in Nigerian tertiary institutions, describing it as essential to strengthening the growing diplomatic, educational and cultural ties between Nigeria and China.
The Director General of FRCN, Dr. Mohammed Bulama made the call at the 19th Nigeria Division of the Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students and the Inter-University Chinese Language Competition held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, where students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, emerged overall winners.
The competition formed part of activities marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Bulama said the increasing popularity of Mandarin studies in Nigeria reflected the deepening relationship between both countries.
“This is a clear demonstration of the fact that the bilateral ties between Nigeria and China are becoming stronger and stronger: diplomatic, trade, cultural and educational,” he said.
The FRCN Director-General urged the Chinese Embassy to work closely with Nigeria’s education authorities to expand Mandarin language teaching across more higher institutions.
He also highlighted Radio Nigeria’s partnership with the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre through its Mandarin language programme, *lNi Hao China.
“We are very proud and happy to do so and will continue to promote this programme and give it all the distinction that it deserves,” Bulama said.
Earlier, Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Mr. Yang Jianxing, encouraged young Nigerians to embrace language learning and cultural exchanges as pathways to global opportunities and stronger people-to-people relations.
“You are all in the prime of your youth, and your choice to learn Chinese and step onto the Chinese Bridge stage is itself an act of courage and commitment,” Yang said.
Describing the competition as a bridge between cultures, he added: “Language is a bridge for dialogue between civilisations and a bond that unites hearts and minds.”
Mr. Yang commended the Confucius Institutes at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the University of Lagos for their role in advancing Chinese language education in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Education Secretariat, Mrs. Joy Okeke, described the competition as a symbol of enduring educational cooperation between Nigeria and China.
“It is a thing of pleasure and honour to be part of this event in the promotion of cultural and educational exchanges between the two long-time partners, friends and brothers,” she said.
In a virtual address, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Lagos, Professor Wushuang, said the Chinese Bridge competition represented much more than language proficiency.
“For young students, Chinese Bridge is much more than a language competition. It’s a stage where curiosity becomes confidence, where learning becomes discovery, and where dreams begin to shape,” she said.
President of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Muhammad Suleiman, also described the event as a celebration of cultural understanding and friendship between both nations.
“This is not only a contest of language skills, but also a grand event where the two brilliant cultures of China and Nigeria shine together,” Suleiman said.
At the end of the competition, students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University dominated both categories.
In the secondary school category, Micheal Uchechi Justina emerged overall winner with 95.2 points, ahead of Umezurike Favour Chinaetugo and Okoye Chikadibia Faith.
The inter-university competition was won by Emmanuel Faith Mba Orjiugo with 94 points, while Onyeocha Cecilea Ugochi and Okeke Jessica Chinemerem finished second and third respectively.
Organisers said the winners would represent Nigeria at international Chinese Bridge competitions in China, where participants could also access scholarship opportunities and further educational exchanges.
