The Consul-General of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, has called for the expansion of Mandarin language education across Nigerian schools, describing language learning as an important bridge for strengthening cultural understanding and creating greater educational and career opportunities for young Nigerians.
The Chinese diplomat made the appeal during a visit to Grace Schools, Lagos, where she interacted with pupils studying Mandarin as part of the school’s foreign language curriculum. The institution has offered Mandarin classes for the past 16 years, making it one of the early adopters of Chinese language education in Nigeria.
During her visit, Yuqing expressed delight at the enthusiasm displayed by the students, noting their growing interest in Chinese language, history, culture, and people. She said it was encouraging to hear many of the pupils express a desire to visit China in the future, describing young people as the foundation of stronger international relations.
The envoy praised the students for their impressive command of Mandarin and expressed confidence that more Nigerian youths would pursue higher education and career opportunities in China in the years ahead.
She also highlighted the close cultural ties she has observed between both countries, adding that she enjoys several Nigerian delicacies, including moi moi, jollof rice, and egusi soup, while noting similarities in aspects of traditional attire between Nigerians and the Chinese.
According to Yuqing, expanding educational and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and China will further deepen bilateral relations while equipping Nigerian students with valuable global skills. She explained that 2026 has been designated as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchange, with education and cultural cooperation identified as key areas for strengthening partnerships between China and African countries.
She reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting education in Nigeria through scholarships, teacher development programmes, student exchange initiatives, and educational donations. The diplomat noted that the Chinese government, through its Ministry of Education, continues to provide scholarship opportunities for students from African nations, including Nigeria.
Yuqing also pointed to the growing collaboration between the two countries through the Confucius Institute at the University of Lagos, which has played a significant role in promoting Chinese language education. She added that Lagos maintains sister-city partnerships with several Chinese provinces, further strengthening educational and cultural cooperation.
Beyond education, the envoy said China remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s development through humanitarian and social initiatives, including food assistance for vulnerable families, healthcare programmes such as cataract treatment, and infrastructure development projects.
Speaking during the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Grace Schools, Mrs. Olatokunbo Edun, explained that the school introduced Mandarin into its curriculum in 2010 after recognising China’s growing influence in the global economy and the increasing opportunities available to multilingual professionals.
She revealed that Mandarin is now taught from Nursery Two through Senior Secondary School II, with many students able to read, write, and communicate fluently in the language.
According to Edun, proficiency in Mandarin provides students with a competitive edge in today’s global labour market. She noted that multilingual graduates often enjoy broader employment opportunities, particularly with companies engaged in international trade and business.
She also disclosed that one of the school’s pupils achieved HSK Level 3, an internationally recognised Chinese language proficiency certification, at just six years old, describing the achievement as evidence of the effectiveness of early language education.
Edun explained that Grace Schools has invested significantly in developing its Mandarin programme through a partnership with the Confucius Institute at the University of Lagos, which has helped train teachers and strengthen the quality of Chinese language instruction.
She added that learning additional languages not only improves communication skills but also enhances children’s cognitive development, critical thinking abilities, and appreciation of different cultures.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), Omoruyi Edoigiawerei, commended the initiative, saying parents are optimistic that Mandarin education will prepare their children for future opportunities in international business, diplomacy, and global careers.
The renewed call for wider Mandarin education reflects the growing educational and economic partnership between Nigeria and China, as both countries continue to strengthen cooperation through language learning, cultural exchange, and academic collaboration.
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