Nǐ Hao Nigeria as Mandarin Joins the School Curriculum

Nigeria is adding a fresh twist to its classrooms, and it speaks Mandarin. Starting with the 2025/2026 academic session, senior secondary school students will be able to choose Chinese as part of their language options, right alongside French and Arabic. The announcement came from Dr. Danlami Hayyo of the FCT Education Secretariat during the unveiling of the 14th “Chinese Corner” in Abuja, signaling more than just a new subject on the timetable.

This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Nigeria and China have been tightening their handshake for a while now. In the last year alone, China has pledged over $800 million for lithium-processing projects, sent $1 million in flood relief aid, and partnered to launch the Luban-Mozi College inside Ogun State’s Free Trade Zone to boost vocational skills.

By weaving Mandarin into the school curriculum, Nigeria isn’t just offering students another language to learn; it’s giving them a head start in a world where trade, technology, and diplomacy are increasingly written in Chinese characters. For teenagers picking their next elective, “Nǐ hǎo” might soon sound as familiar as “Bonjour” or “As-salāmu ʿalaykum.”