Nigerians have welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to include the Chinese language (Mandarin) in the senior secondary school curriculum across the country.
The announcement was made by Dr. Danlami Hayyo, Education Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), during the inauguration of the Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja. The project was sponsored by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Dr. Hayyo explained that the FCT Education Board had already introduced Mandarin in some schools before the curriculum review, describing the inclusion as a forward-thinking move. He noted that Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world and has become vital in commerce, education, and tourism.
“Our decision to embrace Chinese education and culture is a wise step,” Hayyo said.
With the establishment of the new centre in Tudun Wada, Abuja now boasts 14 Chinese Corners across secondary schools. According to Hayyo, these centres have not only improved language learning opportunities for students but have also strengthened educational and cultural ties between Nigeria and China.
