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- Mandarin has officially been added to Nigeria’s senior secondary school curriculum, marking a significant step in educational reform and international language inclusion
- The announcement coincided with the inauguration of the 14th Chinese Corner in Abuja, a cultural initiative backed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation
- Stakeholders hailed the move as a milestone in Nigeria-China relations, fostering deeper educational and cultural exchange
Mandarin has officially been included as one of the foreign languages to be taught in senior secondary schools across Nigeria, following a recent review of the national curriculum.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Dr Danlami Hayyo, Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), during the commissioning of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja.
Source: Twitter
Dr Hayyo stated, “May I inform you that in the recent review of our curriculum, the Chinese language has been selected as one of the international languages to offer in senior secondary schools.”
He added that the FCT had demonstrated foresight by introducing Mandarin early through the Chinese Corners initiative.
The Chinese Corner, an educational and cultural centre sponsored by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts.
According to Hayyo, the newly inaugurated centre is the 14th of its kind in the FCT, with similar facilities now present in several secondary schools across the territory.
China-Nigeria relations strengthened through language and culture
Speaking on behalf of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Hayyo expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and its embassy in Nigeria for their continued support. He concluded his remarks with a Chinese proverb: “Hai nei cun zhiji, tianya ruo bi lin,” meaning, “A bosom friend brings distant lands near.”
Curriculum review introduces Mandarin in schools
The inclusion of Mandarin follows the Federal Government’s recent announcement of a comprehensive revision of the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum. According to a circular issued by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council on 8 September 2025, the new curriculum will be implemented from the 2025/2026 academic session. Mandarin joins other international languages such as French and Arabic as optional subjects in senior secondary schools.
Dr Muhammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, described the Chinese Corners as a reflection of the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and China. “The Chinese Corners aim not just to foster people-to-people exchanges, but also to provide resources for learning Mandarin and opportunities for scholarships in China. It is also a means of strengthening diplomatic relations through artistic collaboration,” he said.
Ladan recalled that the first Chinese Corner was established in 2013 at GSS Garki, with subsequent centres added over the years, including one at GSS Wuse Zone 3 in 2024. He confirmed that two additional centres are in development, supported by leading Chinese firms operating in Nigeria.
Chinese embassy donates teaching materials
In a further show of support, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria last week donated 15 sets of Chinese language teaching materials and cultural books to Nigerian secondary schools. The donation aims to bolster the rollout of Mandarin education and deepen cultural ties between the two nations.
Source: Legit.ng
