Mandarin Added To National Curriculum as Abuja School Opens New ‘Chinese Corner’

The Nigerian educational landscape is set for a significant shift as the Chinese language, Mandarin, has been officially incorporated into the national curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools.

This announcement was made by Dr Danlami Hayyo, the Education Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), during the inauguration of a new “Chinese Corner” at the Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The initiative, funded by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, underscores the growing ties between Nigeria and China.

Dr Hayyo lauded the FCT education board for its foresight in introducing Mandarin in FCT schools ahead of the national curriculum review.

“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,” Dr Hayyo stated.

“The FCT has been very visionary in introducing the subject in our schools through the Chinese corners early enough.

“Chinese Mandarin has the largest number of speakers in the world and today it has become the language of commerce, education, and tourism.”

This new centre marks the 14th Chinese Corner established in secondary schools across the FCT. These corners, according to Dr Hayyo, have significantly enhanced educational and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and China, providing students with opportunities for further education in China and fostering a deeper understanding of both cultures.

Furthermore, Nigerian educators have benefited from capacity-building programs in China through this collaboration. “Today we are proud to say that it is only the FCT that has a Chinese Corner in its schools in the whole federation,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, Dr Hayyo expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and Embassy for their unwavering support in promoting people-to-people exchange.

Chinese Counsellor, Yang Jianxing, highlighted the “Chinese Corner” as a platform born from the mutual appreciation and friendship between China and Nigeria.

“Over the past more than ten years, this seemingly simple platform has long become a link connecting Chinese and Nigerian cultures, a bridge narrowing the hearts of young people from the two countries,” he said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Chinese diplomatic missions in Nigeria to continue supporting cooperation in various fields, including culture and education.

Dr Muhammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, emphasised that the initiative aims at promoting mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges, providing resources for learning Mandarin, potential scholarships to China, and strengthening diplomatic relations through artistic collaboration.

He provided background on the establishment of the program, noting its evolution from a prototype in G.S.S. Garki in 2013 to its current expansion.

The addition of Mandarin to the national curriculum and the ongoing expansion of Chinese Corners in FCT schools signal a deepening of ties between Nigeria and China, and a forward-looking approach to education that recognises the growing global importance of the Chinese language and culture.