The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria says plans are on the way to establish more Confucious Institutes for teaching and learning of Chinese Language and culture in Nigeria.
Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy made this known at the 2024 International Chinese Language Day Celebration held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja over the weekend.
The envoy said there has been a growing interest in learning the Chinese language in Nigeria, and the embassy is committed to making sure more Nigerians learn the Chinese language and culture through strategic collaboration with relevant agencies and academic institutions.
Li said: “Nigerians, especially high school and college students, have started learning the Chinese language and its rich culture. We currently have two Confucius Institutes in Nigeria, one at the University of Lagos and the other at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra state. We will work with more Nigerian universities like the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Abuja to explore the possibility of establishing a Confucius Institute. Chinese language classes have already realized the dreams of many Nigerians to learn Chinese. The China Cultural Centre in Nigeria has been teaching Chinese for over 10 years since its establishment in 2013.”
The Chinese envoy also emphasized the importance of celebrating Nigeria’s over 500 languages because Nigeria is the cradle of African civilization with over 250 ethnic groups.
Earlier in his remarks, James Sule, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, said the 2024 International Chinese Language Day Celebration provides an avenue to also celebrate the power of all languages in bridging gaps and building bonds. He stated that the Ministry is committed to supporting language education and initiatives that encourage the learning of the Chinese language among Nigerians, “thereby enhancing cultural literacy and global connectivity.”
He said the ministry is committed to fostering a vibrant cultural exchange that not only celebrates “our diverse heritage but also embraces the rich traditions of the Chinese language and culture.”
“We are also dedicated to creating platforms for dialogue and collaboration that transcend borders and languages. In addition, the Ministry promotes multicultural understanding and appreciation. We believe that through events like the International Chinese Language Celebration, we can build stronger cultural ties and mutual respect between Nigeria and China,” Mr Sule added.
International Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20th, was established by the United Nations Department of Public Information in 2010 to celebrate cultural diversity and promote equal use of all six official languages within the organization.
With over 1.3 billion people worldwide speaking it as their first language, Chinese stands as the most spoken native language in the world.
