Nigeria Adds Mandarin to Secondary School Curriculum Amid Debate Over Language Priorities

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Nigeria’s federal government has officially introduced Mandarin Chinese as an optional foreign language in the senior secondary school curriculum nationwide. The decision followed a recent review by the Federal Ministry of Education and was confirmed by Dr. Danlami Hayyo, Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the ministry, the policy is aimed at equipping Nigerian students with skills that reflect today’s global realities, particularly in areas such as trade, technology, and diplomacy. With China playing a growing role in Nigeria’s economy, including recent collaborations on solar-powered projects and multi-billion-dollar loan agreements, officials say learning Mandarin will give students an edge in international engagement.

Education authorities describe the move as a milestone for cultural exchange, but the announcement has sparked public debate. On social media platform X, some Nigerians welcomed the policy as a forward-thinking step that will expand opportunities for young people in a competitive global market. Others, however, questioned the government’s priorities, pointing out that indigenous languages like Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo often lack robust support in schools, even as a foreign language like Mandarin is being introduced.

Concerns were also raised about the broader implications of China’s growing influence in Nigeria, with critics warning that the language policy could further deepen cultural and economic dependency. Supporters countered that in an interconnected world, giving students access to Mandarin is a pragmatic decision that reflects current global trade dynamics.

For now, the Federal Ministry of Education has not outlined parallel measures to strengthen the teaching and preservation of Nigeria’s indigenous languages. The addition of Mandarin marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s educational policy—one that highlights both the opportunities and challenges of balancing global competitiveness with cultural preservation.