The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially included Mandarin, the Chinese language, as an optional foreign language in the newly revised senior secondary school curriculum, marking a significant step in strengthening educational and cultural ties with China.
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, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
The inclusion of Mandarin follows a comprehensive review of the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), with implementation set to begin in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to a circular issued by NERDC on September 8, 2025, Mandarin joins French and Arabic as optional international languages for senior secondary students, reflecting the government’s aim to equip learners with skills for global competitiveness.
Dr. Hayyo emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, stating, “Chinese 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 highlighted the FCT’s pioneering role, noting that the establishment of Chinese Corners in schools across the territory has laid a foundation for this curriculum change.
“The FCT has been very visionary in introducing the subject in our schools through the Chinese Corners early enough,” he added.
The Chinese Corner initiative, sponsored by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as part of its corporate social responsibility, has grown over the past decade to include 14 centers in FCT secondary schools.
These centers serve as hubs for cultural and educational exchange, providing resources for learning Mandarin and opportunities for scholarships to study in China.
The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria further supported the rollout by donating 15 sets of Chinese language teaching materials and cultural books to Nigerian secondary schools last week.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Muhammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, described the Chinese Corners as a testament to the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and China.
“These centers have greatly enhanced education and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China, opening a window for better understanding and appreciation of our various cultures,” he said.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed concerns about inadequate funding, infrastructure, and teacher training, which they argue could hinder effective implementation.
Despite these challenges, the Federal Government insists that the reforms are timely and necessary to prepare students for a rapidly changing global economy.
The Chinese Counselor, Yang Jianxing, reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education sector, stating, “The inauguration of the Chinese Corner is not an end, but a new starting point for cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria.”
He added that the initiative has become “a bridge narrowing the hearts of young people from the two countries.”
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