The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially included Mandarin, the Chinese language, as an optional foreign language in the updated curriculum for senior secondary schools, marking an important step towards improving educational and cultural ties with China.
This declaration was made by Dr Danlami Hayyo, Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), during the introduction of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja, on Tuesday, September 16.
The addition of Mandarin follows a comprehensive review of the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum conducted by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), with plans for implementation beginning in the 2025/2026 academic year.
According to a circular issued by NERDC on September 8, 2025, Mandarin has now become one of the optional international languages available to senior secondary students, alongside French and Arabic, reflecting the government’s commitment to equipping students with competencies for global competitiveness.
Dr Hayyo emphasised the strategic importance of this initiative, stating, “Chinese Mandarin has the largest number of speakers worldwide and has emerged as the primary language for commerce, education, and tourism.
Our decision to delve into Chinese education and culture is a wise one.” He highlighted the FCT’s pioneering role, indicating that the establishment of Chinese Corners in schools across the territory has laid the groundwork for this curriculum change.
“The FCT has demonstrated great foresight by integrating the subject into our schools at an early stage through the Chinese Corners,” he observed.
The Chinese Corner initiative, funded by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, has grown over the past ten years to comprise 14 centres in secondary schools within the FCT.
These centres serve as platforms for cultural and educational exchange, providing resources for Mandarin language learning and opportunities for scholarships to study in China.
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Additionally, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has played a role in this implementation by donating 15 sets of Chinese language teaching materials and cultural books to secondary schools in Nigeria last week.
During the event, Dr. Muhammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, described the Chinese Corners as a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China.
“These centres have significantly enhanced educational and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and China, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of our distinct cultures,” he remarked.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has raised concerns regarding the lack of funding, infrastructure, and teacher training, which they feel could hinder effective implementation.
Despite these challenges, the Federal Government insists that the reforms are timely and crucial for preparing students for a rapidly changing global economy.
Chinese Counsellor Yang Jianxing reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education sector, stating, “The inauguration of the Chinese Corner signifies not an end, but a new beginning for cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria.”
