The People’s Republic of China has launched a new magazine programme, Ni Hao China, on the Network Service of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), to promote basic knowledge of Chinese language, culture, traditions, technology, food, and society.
Ni Hao China—which means Hello China—is designed to feature Mandarin language lessons and broader insights into China’s development and heritage.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Yu Dunhai, during the launch of the programme in Abuja, the nation’s capital, said the partnership between both countries goes beyond government ties. “In recent years, China-Nigeria people-to-people and cultural exchanges have been flourishing with remarkable achievements, and 2026 will be the year of China-Africa people-to-people exchanges. Against this backdrop, the Ni Hao China programme comes at an opportune moment,” he said.
He added that the programme would offer a platform for Nigerians learning Mandarin or interested in China’s culture and society. “You can learn authentic Chinese pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and appreciate the unique charm of Chinese culture and language,” Mr Yu said. “You can also have an in-depth understanding of China’s history, social development, customs and traditions, and also appreciate a real, multidimensional and comprehensive China.”
The envoy described Ni Hao China as a strategic cultural initiative, noting its potential impact. “This programme is going to provide opportunity for Nigerian people, because China is an opportunity, China is a partnership. And in order to catch this opportunity, I think if you could speak the language of that country, it will definitely provide a better tool,” he stated.
He revealed that bilateral trade exceeded $20 trillion in the previous year and said Nigeria stands to benefit further under a zero-tariff scheme. “Our estimation is it will save billions of U.S. dollars for Nigerian export to China. So that provides more opportunities for Nigerian trade and also investment between China and Nigeria,” he added. “We need more people that are better equipped with language tools, with better understanding of each other. So I believe that this programme is definitely going to serve that purpose.”
Responding, Director General of FRCN, Dr Mohammed Bulama, said the relationship between China and Nigeria is taking on global significance. “We are gathered here to start writing a new chapter of China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership. For the first time, a media organisation will start teaching the Mandarin language in Nigeria,” he said. “This is in recognition of the importance of China as a country. So we are aligning basically with our President’s strategic move.”
Dr Bulama stressed that language plays a critical role in diplomacy and communication. “Introducing Nigerians, especially young Nigerians, to the Chinese language, the Mandarin, would be to the advantage of Nigeria,” he said. “And in any case, China is doing a similar thing. And we are looking forward to when Voice of Nigeria, our sister, will start broadcasting in the Mandarin language to China.”
He added that Radio Nigeria is acting in line with the Federal Government’s broader foreign policy agenda. “Our relationship transcends bilateral dimensions, it is gaining ground. And we are becoming global partners,” he said. “Mr President appointed a Director General and a global liaison of Nigeria-China strategic partnership. That is because Nigeria recognises that China is a very, very important and strategic country in the world.”
The FRCN boss assured that the station is committed to sustaining the initiative. “We don’t want it to be a one-off thing,” he said. “We are hoping that in another three, four, five years, instead of bringing somebody from China, Nigerians will take over running the programme. This partnership we are fostering today is only a continuation of the one we have started already.”
He called on Chinese companies in Nigeria to support the show. “We hope that you will mobilise the many Chinese businesses in Nigeria to patronise this programme,” he added.
Also speaking, Director of Programmes, FRCN, Mrs Msurshima Kghir, said the initiative evolved beyond language lessons to include broader cultural components. “Actually, the proposal was for training in Chinese language… but our teachers saw the need for us to touch on other aspects of the Chinese people,” she said. “Each edition will feature a little bit of all this, but the emphasis will be on the teaching of Mandarin.”
The language instructor on the programme, Zhang Yaping, said it would offer Nigerians a window into real Chinese life. “We hope that through this programme, more Nigerian friends will experience the unique charm of Chinese culture and forge deep friendship with the Chinese people,” she said.
Ni Hao China will air every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on the Network Service of Radio Nigeria.
The weekly magazine-format broadcast will include various cultural segments, with a special focus on teaching Mandarin.
PIAK