The People’s Republic of China, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have jointly encouraged Nigerians to embrace the Chinese language, describing it as a strategic pathway to job creation, trade expansion, cultural exchange, and global engagement.
The call was made on Monday during the celebration of International Chinese Language Day held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, described the Chinese language as a vital link connecting people, cultures, and economies across the world.
He said the language carries over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and serves as a “golden bridge” for fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between nations.
Yang noted that Chinese language education has continued to expand globally, with more than 200 million learners across over 190 countries and regions. He added that Chinese philosophical ideas such as “the world belongs to all” and “do not do to others what you would not have them do to you” strongly align with Nigerian cultural values of harmony and communal living.
According to him, learning Chinese offered Nigerians a competitive advantage in accessing opportunities in trade, education, technology, and bilateral cooperation.
“Learning Chinese is undoubtedly an important shortcut to fully understanding China and realizing one’s dreams through cooperation in various sectors,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria), represented by the Director of News, Suleiman Musa, described the Chinese language as one of the world’s most valuable cultural assets.
He emphasized its growing importance in diplomacy, international trade, media cooperation, and cross-border communication.
Musa noted that the “Ni Hao China” programme is one of the outcomes of agreements reached during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to China in September 2024, aimed at strengthening trade, tourism, and bilateral communication between both countries.
In her remarks, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, highlighted the role of language in building mutual understanding and strengthening international relations.
She said the event reflected the growing partnership between Nigeria and China, driven by shared goals of development, innovation, and prosperity.
“This event underscores the power of language as a bridge for cultures, fostering deeper understanding between Nigeria and China, two great nations bound by shared aspirations,” she said.
The event concluded with renewed calls for Nigerians, especially young people, to take advantage of Chinese language learning opportunities to improve their global competitiveness and access emerging economic opportunities.
