By: Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja
The Chinese government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Nigeria in education, emphasizing that education is crucial to a country’s development.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, made this statement during the launch of the “Chinese Corner” and the “Nihao China” Painting Competition Awards Ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. Ambassador Dunhai emphasized that education is central to the growth of any nation.
“One of our key agreements is to enhance high-level educational exchanges between our two countries. Looking ahead, the Chinese Embassy is committed to establishing more Chinese Corners across Abuja and offering more opportunities for teachers and students to visit and train in China. We hope that the participants in the China Corners will serve as messengers of friendship between our nations,” he added.
Ambassador Dunhai highlighted that, over the past decade, the Chinese Embassy and the FCT Education Board have collaborated to establish over a dozen Chinese Corners around Abuja. These cultural hubs allow students and teachers to explore China’s rich heritage and promote cross-cultural understanding.
“In today’s rapidly changing world, understanding diversity is essential. The Chinese Corner has facilitated cultural exchange, allowing students to engage with Chinese traditions, dance, and history, broadening their perspectives. Over the years, many high-performing students and teachers have also had the chance to visit China, an experience that reinforces our strong bilateral ties. Ultimately, relations between countries are sustained by connections between their people, and students are the future of these relationships,” Ambassador Dunhai noted.
Addressing the painting competition, Ambassador Dunhai praised Nigeria’s vibrant talent, saying: “I was genuinely impressed by the performances from teachers and students alike. People often say that Nigerians are artists at heart, and today I’ve witnessed that truth firsthand. Over the years, many students have benefited significantly from the Chinese Corners, seeing them as a unique club that offers insight into China’s fascinating culture.”
Also speaking at the event, the Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, Dr. Muhammed Sani Ladan, commended the mutually beneficial relationship between Nigeria and China. He encouraged students who participated in the painting competition to take pride in their involvement.
“The Chinese Corners serve as resource centers for Chinese language education and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China. These Corners offer students the chance to learn Mandarin and pursue scholarships in China. Our collaboration with the Chinese Embassy has been advantageous for both countries, enabling young Nigerians to access educational support, capacity building, and scholarships, while providing cultural exposure to the Chinese people,” Dr. Ladan explained.
Responding to the initiative, the Principal, Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Josephine Ogwu expressed optimism about the impact of the Chinese Corner.
“This cultural center provides a valuable platform for educational and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China. We hope it will enhance people-to-people diplomacy and foster a sense of community among individuals from diverse backgrounds. This initiative strengthens the cooperative and respectful relationship between our two countries,” she said.
The event concluded with the presentation of awards to the approximately 120 students who participated in the “Nihao China” Painting Competition. Organizers emphasized to the students that participation in the competition itself, which nurtures artistic skills, is more meaningful than simply winning a prize.
