The Nigerian Federal Government has officially added Mandarin, the Chinese language, as an optional foreign language in the newly updated curriculum for senior secondary schools, representing a crucial move in enhancing educational and cultural relations with China.
This announcement was made by Dr Danlami Hayyo, Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), during the launch of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja, on Tuesday, September 16.
Mandarin’s inclusion comes after a thorough review of the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), with plans for implementation starting in the 2025/2026 academic year.
As indicated in a circular from NERDC on September 8, 2025, Mandarin now joins French and Arabic as an optional international language available for senior secondary students, demonstrating the government’s intention to equip learners with skills for global competitiveness.
Dr Hayyo underscored the strategic significance of this initiative, stating, “Chinese Mandarin boasts the highest number of speakers globally, and it has become the language of commerce, education, and tourism.
Our choice to explore Chinese education and culture is a prudent one.” He pointed to the FCT’s leadership role, remarking that the introduction of Chinese Corners in schools throughout the territory has established a basis for this curriculum modification.
“The FCT has shown great foresight in incorporating the subject into our schools early on through the Chinese Corners,” he noted.
The Chinese Corner initiative, backed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as part of its corporate social responsibility, has expanded over the past decade to include 14 centres in secondary schools within the FCT.
These centres act as venues for cultural and educational exchange, offering resources for learning Mandarin and chances for scholarships to study in China.
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The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria also facilitated the implementation by donating 15 sets of Chinese language teaching materials and cultural books to Nigerian secondary schools last week.
During the event, Dr Muhammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, described the Chinese Corners as evidence of the strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China.
“These centres have significantly boosted educational and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China, creating avenues for improved understanding and appreciation of our distinct cultures,” he stated.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed worries regarding insufficient funding, infrastructure, and teacher training, which they believe could impede effective execution.
Despite these obstacles, the Federal Government asserts that the reforms are timely and essential to prepare students for a swiftly evolving global economy.
Chinese Counsellor Yang Jianxing reiterated China’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s education sector, commenting, “The inauguration of the Chinese Corner marks not an end, but a new beginning for cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria.”
