September 17, 2025
By Adejumo David
The Federal Government has approved Mandarin as one of the international languages to be taught in senior secondary schools across the country, beginning with the 2025/2026 academic session.
The Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Danlami Hayyo, announced this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja.
According to Hayyo, the inclusion of Mandarin in the national curriculum followed a recent review aimed at expanding educational opportunities and strengthening cultural exchange.
“Chinese Mandarin has the largest number of speakers in the world, and today it has become the language of commerce, education, and tourism. Our decision to delve into Chinese education and culture is a wise move,” he said.
Hayyo noted that the FCT has been at the forefront of introducing Chinese language education through the establishment of Chinese Corners in secondary schools, supported by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as part of its corporate social responsibility. With the latest inauguration, there are now 14 such centres in the territory.
He added that teachers and staff of the FCT education system have benefited from capacity-building programmes in China and described the initiative as a unique advantage for students in the capital territory.
Speaking on behalf of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Hayyo commended the Chinese government and its embassy in Nigeria for their continued support.
Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, also praised the initiative, describing the Chinese Corners as “a link connecting Chinese and Nigerian cultures” and a bridge for young people from both countries.
The Director/Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, Dr. Muhammed Ladan, said the initiative reflects the growing ties between Nigeria and China, providing not only language-learning opportunities but also scholarships for further education.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) confirmed in a circular dated September 8, 2025, that the revised curriculum will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session. Other international languages such as French and Arabic remain optional subjects for senior secondary schools.
