The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the Voice of Nigeria (VON) have deepened media cooperation through Mandarin broadcasting and the China–Nigeria Bridge Chinese Radio Programme aimed at enhancing the people-to-people cooperation between both countries.
The initiative was launched in Abuja on Thursday amid a series of activities to celebrate the China–Nigeria Bridge Chinese Radio Programme and the Mandarin Service of VON, a programme jointly initiated by the Chinese Embassy, Xinhua News Agency Africa Regional Bureau and VON, with the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria as a supporting partner.
Speaking during the event, Mr Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, said the initiatives would promote mutual understanding and deepen cultural exchanges between Nigeria, China and other African countries.
He pointed out that the programme commenced broadcasting on September 2 and had aired 10 episodes, providing Chinese language lessons and reports on China-Africa cooperation.
“This is much more than a radio programme. It is a bridge of friendship connecting the hearts of the Chinese and African people and promoting mutual learning and understanding among civilisations,” Yang said.
He also highlighted recent gains in China-Africa economic relations, including zero-tariff treatment for eligible African exports and increasing trade volumes between China and Nigeria, saying the figures underscore the practical benefits of growing bilateral cooperation.
He identified trade facilitation, governance cooperation, peaceful conflict resolution and mining-sector development as key areas expected to shape future China-Africa and China-Nigeria engagement even as he commended VON Director-General, Mr Jibrin Ndace, and the agency’s team for their commitment to promoting cultural exchanges and strengthening China-Nigeria relations.
Yang said the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre would continue working with partners to improve the programme and expand its reach and influence.
“It is our sincere hope that the ‘China–Nigeria Bridge’ programme will become an important window through which more African friends can learn the Chinese language and gain a better understanding of China,” he said.
Also speaking during the event, Ndace, who was represented by Malam Danladi Abdulkarim, said the Mandarin Service was VON’s ninth broadcast language, adding that it would enable the agency to reach Chinese-speaking audiences worldwide.
He said the service would promote Nigeria’s culture, music, tourism, business opportunities and values while strengthening mutual understanding.
“This is not just the addition of a language. It is the opening of a bridge. A bridge between Nigeria and China. A bridge between Africa and over one billion Mandarin speakers around the world,” he said.
Abdulkarim said the initiative followed the media exchange and cooperation framework agreed between Nigeria and China at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing.
“About 26 Nigerian journalists, including five VON staff members, received training in Beijing in April 2026,” he said.
He added that VON signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Xinhua News Agency on April 24, 2026, to promote content sharing and news exchange.
According to him, a separate agreement signed with the Chinese Embassy on May 18, 2026, covers Chinese language training, broadcasting capacity development, content production, cultural exchanges and cooperation against misinformation.
“The Mandarin Service would complement VON’s existing broadcasts in English, French, Arabic, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulfulde and Kiswahili, “he said.