The Federal Government has approved the inclusion of the Chinese language in the Senior Secondary School curriculum, beginning from the 2025/2026 academic session.
The decision follows a review of the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), under the Federal Ministry of Education. With the update, Chinese will now be offered as an optional foreign language alongside French and Arabic. Officials explained that the aim is to equip students with international language skills and cultural knowledge that can enhance their global competitiveness.
The policy was announced during the inauguration of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Danlami Hayyo, noted that the FCT had already introduced Chinese through its Chinese Corners in schools.
He highlighted that Mandarin, as the most widely spoken language globally, has become important for commerce, education, and tourism, and that the initiative would foster better educational and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China.
According to him, the FCT now has 14 Chinese Corners, which have contributed to stronger cultural understanding and provided students with opportunities for further studies in China.
Officials from the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria also welcomed the development, describing it as a sign of deepening cultural and educational ties between both countries.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have raised concerns about teacher training, curriculum content, and access to learning resources nationwide. The Federal Government has assured that clear guidelines will be released ahead of the rollout, with emphasis on teacher preparation and instructional support.
