China reaffirms commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education system

The Chinese Consul-General, Lagos, Yan Yuqing, has reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting the development of Nigeria’s education system.

The Chinese Consul-General said the embassy remains “steadfast in its support for education in Nigeria, as it is an important pillar for the country’s future development.”

She said this on Wednesday during the launching of the free Chinese Online Classroom Project donated by the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in the Igbesa area of Ogun State.

Yuqing, while revealing that the project was in collaboration with the Chinese Ministry of Education, said the Free Trade Zone Online Chinese Classroom was a significant milestone in the cultural and economic collaboration between Nigeria and China.

She stated that the project complemented President Xi Jinping’s African development assistance, stressing that it “seeks to cultivate Chinese-speaking talents, bolster local economies, and foster mutual understanding.”

She added, “The online class aims to foster cultural exchange and strengthen Nigeria-China relations by offering Mandarin Chinese learning opportunities to tertiary students and interested individuals. With a focus on technology transfer, career enhancement, and global preparedness, the project signifies OGFTZ’s commitment to facilitating a positive environment for Nigerian and Chinese businesses”.

On his part, the Deputy General Manager of China-Africa Investment FZC, Kevin Liu, explained that the programme’s key component is to equip the university undergraduates and widen their chances in skill acquisition and economic empowerment.

He added that apart from the involvement of the academy environment, the locals who are interested in learning the Chinese language will also benefit from the programme.

“I want to thank the Chinese Consulate General for the support, the Chinese Ministry of Education, and the Ogun State government for the cooperation.

“We are very confident that the project will be successful and what we want is that the whole of Africa and Nigeria will benefit from it all,” he noted.

One of the project coordinators, Madame Wang Jinhong, said the project was to bridge the gap that existed between the workers and the experts, saying the aim is to transfer knowledge to the workers through learning the language.

She added that over 600 persons have registered for the class both physically and online.

She said, “We want to improve the technical skills of the workers, we want to be more localised. There is a gap between the knowledge and vocational skills, our target is to bridge the gap.”

The Ogun State Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, however, assured the Chinese of the government’s support.

Arigbabu noted the government is ready to accommodate the teaching of Chinese in its curriculum to improve knowledge as well as better opportunities and empowerment.

The Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, had in January vowed to strengthen its ties with Nigeria.

Jianchun said the year, symbolised by the dragon sign, would create an opportunity for China and Nigeria to strengthen their relationship through shared ambitions.

Other presence at the launching were; Professor Li Yonghe, President of Yunnan Agricultural University represented by Professor Wei Hongjiang; CEO of Guangdong New South Overseas Investment Holdings Co., Ltd, Mr Deng Yu; Vice President of China Glass Holdings Co., Ltd, Mr Cai Guo, and General Manager of Senda Group Nigeria Branc, Mr Song Bin.