The Federal Government has approved the inclusion of the Chinese language in the Senior Secondary School curriculum, beginning with the 2025/2026 academic session.
The decision followed a review by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) under the Ministry of Education. With the update, Chinese will join French and Arabic as optional foreign languages for students.
Education officials explained that Mandarin is not compulsory, but its introduction is meant to boost students’ global competitiveness by equipping them with new skills and cultural knowledge.
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Speaking at the inauguration of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja, FCT Secretary of Education Dr. Danlami Hayyo said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s growing partnership with China in trade, education, and technology.
“Chinese Mandarin has the largest number of speakers in the world. Today, it is the language of commerce, education, and tourism. Introducing it into our curriculum is a wise move,” he said.
Over the years, the FCT has established 14 Chinese Corners in secondary schools to promote cultural and educational exchange. Officials noted that these centers have given students opportunities to pursue scholarships in China while strengthening Nigeria-China relations.
However, stakeholders have called for clear implementation strategies, including teacher training and access to learning materials, to ensure the programme’s success nationwide.
The Ministry of Education assured that guidelines will be released before the rollout, with plans to provide adequate teacher preparation and instructional support.
