The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural understanding and people-to-people relations between both countries as the Ni Hao! China radio programme marked 456 days on Thursday.
The celebration, held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, brought together government officials, media executives, diplomats, cultural stakeholders and listeners to reflect on the programme’s achievements and explore ways to expand its reach.
Launched in July 2025, Ni Hao! China is a weekly Mandarin language and cultural education programme jointly produced by FRCN and the Chinese Embassy, with support from the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, described the programme as an important bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Nigeria and China.
Yang commended FRCN for its partnership and commitment to the initiative, noting that the programme had provided Nigerian audiences with an accessible platform to learn Mandarin and gain insights into China’s history, culture, food, traditions and everyday life.
He said the programme had also created opportunities for Nigerians to deepen their understanding of China and explore new possibilities for personal and professional development.
Yang noted that the celebration coincided with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, making the programme particularly significant in promoting cultural cooperation.
He expressed optimism that Ni Hao! China would continue to contribute to strengthening bilateral relations, encouraging mutual learning between the two civilisations and bringing their peoples closer together.
The Chinese diplomat identified three priority areas for the programme’s future development: enriching its content, adopting innovative ways to reach audiences and encouraging greater youth participation.
According to him, beyond Mandarin lessons, the programme should feature more content on Chinese culture, tourism, education and everyday life, while also teaching listeners how to introduce Nigerian culture and traditions in Chinese.
He further advocated greater integration of traditional radio with digital platforms, short videos, social media and in-person cultural activities to make the programme more accessible, particularly to younger audiences.
Yang said increased youth participation in language learning and cultural exchange activities would help nurture a new generation of ambassadors and promoters of Nigeria-China friendship.
In his remarks, Director-General of FRCN, Dr Mohammed B. Bulama, described the milestone as evidence of the power of broadcasting to promote cultural education, international understanding and enduring friendship.
Bulama recalled that when the programme was launched at Radio House, FRCN’s corporate headquarters, it was seen by some as a broadcast experiment. However, he said the initiative had developed into a platform connecting people across geographical and cultural boundaries.
He explained that the programme had helped Nigerians in different parts of the country learn about China, its festivals, traditions and innovations, while also providing opportunities to showcase Nigerian culture to a wider audience.
According to him, Ni Hao! China has expanded Nigeria-China engagement beyond business and official diplomacy to people-centred relationships, demonstrating the continuing relevance of radio in fostering international understanding.
The FRCN director-general commended the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre for their partnership, while acknowledging the contributions of the programme’s producers, presenters and technical crew.
He urged the production team to sustain the initiative through compelling content covering language learning, culture, innovation, education, tourism, business and everyday life.
He assured listeners that FRCN would continue to innovate and develop programmes that connect Nigerians with the wider world.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, commended the Chinese Embassy, FRCN and the China Cultural Centre for establishing a platform that promotes cultural exchange and strengthens bilateral relations.
Ike said the programme’s significance extended beyond the number of days celebrated, describing it as 456 days of communication, mutual learning and people-to-people diplomacy.
She observed that the media could play a critical role in correcting misconceptions, deepening mutual respect and promoting peaceful coexistence when used purposefully.
The NUJ FCT chairman encouraged the organisers to expand the programme’s reach through radio, digital platforms and social media, particularly to enable more young Nigerians to participate in and benefit from the cultural exchange.
She reaffirmed the union’s support for media initiatives that advance professional journalism, cultural diplomacy, language learning and responsible public communication.
The Ni Hao! China programme can be accessed through FRCN’s FM radio stations across Nigeria, as well as its website, YouTube channel and other online platforms.
The event also recognised the contributions of the programme’s production team and other partners whose efforts have sustained the initiative since its launch.
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