China-Nigeria radio programme seeks wider reach, youth participation after 456 days

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), have called for expanded content, stronger digital engagement and increased youth participation in the *Ni Hao! China* radio programme to deepen cultural exchanges between Nigeria and China.

The call was made on Thursday during a ceremony marking 456 days of the Chinese-language radio programme at the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Abuja, where stakeholders highlighted the role of broadcasting in strengthening people-to-people relations beyond conventional diplomatic and economic engagements.

Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of the China Cultural Centre, said the programme, jointly produced by the embassy and FRCN, had become an important platform for promoting friendship, cultural understanding and mutual learning since its launch in July 2025.

Jianxing said the programme had provided Nigerian audiences with an accessible avenue to learn Mandarin and gain insights into China’s history, traditions, food, technological development and everyday life.

He said its availability on FRCN radio stations, the corporation’s website, YouTube and other digital platforms had made Chinese-language learning more convenient, but stressed the need to expand its audience and improve its content, particularly to attract younger Nigerians.

The diplomat outlined three priorities for the programme’s next phase: enriching its content, adopting innovative approaches to audience engagement and encouraging greater youth participation.

He said the programme should sustain its Chinese-language lessons while expanding coverage to tourism, education, culture and other aspects of life in China.

He also called for lessons that would enable Nigerians to explain their own cultures, traditions and everyday experiences in Chinese.

According to him, the approach would strengthen the programme’s role as a platform for two-way cultural exchange, allowing Nigerians to communicate their cultural identity to Chinese audiences while learning about Chinese society.

Jianxing also urged the production team to combine conventional radio broadcasting with short videos, social media, digital learning resources and physical cultural activities to reach audiences whose media consumption increasingly takes place online.

He said greater youth participation in language learning, cultural experiences and exchange activities could help develop a new generation of Nigerians capable of promoting friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The diplomat described *Ni Hao! China* as both a reflection of Nigeria-China relations and a contributor to their continued development, noting that the two countries were marking 55 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.

He said the relationship had expanded across political engagement, trade, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, adding that initiatives that brought citizens closer could complement official diplomatic engagements.

Jianxing also linked the programme to the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, describing the initiative as an opportunity to deepen cultural engagement and promote mutual learning between Chinese and African societies.

He commended FRCN’s management, production team, language instructors and other Nigerian and Chinese contributors for sustaining the programme.

The diplomat expressed appreciation to listeners and media practitioners for their support, saying continued collaboration would help the programme reach more Nigerians and strengthen bilateral cultural relations.

Mohammed Babagana, Director-General of FRCN, said the partnership had demonstrated how broadcasting could strengthen relations between countries by promoting cultural awareness and understanding beyond trade, infrastructure and diplomacy.

Babagana said the programme had evolved from what some initially considered a broadcasting experiment into a platform for connecting Nigerians and Chinese citizens through language, music, shared stories and cultural education.

“Today, as we celebrate 456 days of this remarkable programme, I proudly stand before this distinguished gathering to declare that the bridge is not only built—it is thriving with the traffic of friendship and mutual understanding,” he said.

The FRCN director-general said the initiative reflected the public broadcaster’s responsibility to promote national development, international cooperation and constructive engagement beyond Nigeria’s borders.

He noted that FRCN’s mandate extended beyond news dissemination and entertainment to helping Nigerians understand other societies and appreciate cultures different from their own.

According to Babagana, the programme had made Chinese culture more accessible by introducing listeners to the country’s history, festivals, philosophy, technological advances and everyday experiences without requiring them to travel abroad.

He cited audiences across different parts of Nigeria, including rural communities in Yobe State, commercial centres in Kano and Onitsha, and communities in Ile-Ife, as examples of the programme’s potential to connect people across geographical and cultural boundaries.

Bulama said the initiative also provided an avenue for showcasing Nigeria’s cultural diversity and identity to international audiences, making the relationship a two-way exchange rather than a one-sided introduction to Chinese culture.

“The FRCN in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy has moved beyond ‘Business to Business’ to ‘Heart to Heart’,” he said.

He described radio as a resilient and accessible medium capable of reaching audiences across different geographical locations and social backgrounds, adding that language differences did not diminish the shared aspirations of Nigerians and Chinese citizens for progress, family wellbeing and peace.

The FRCN chief said the anniversary should serve as an opportunity to set more ambitious goals for the programme, particularly in content development, digital distribution and audience participation.

He called for engaging programmes combining Mandarin lessons with discussions on Chinese culture, innovation, education, tourism, business and everyday life.

Bulama also highlighted the importance of integrating conventional broadcasting with digital platforms to accommodate changing audience habits.

He said FRCN was using podcasts, social media clips, audience quizzes and other digital learning resources to enable listeners to practise Chinese-language lessons and revisit programme content at their convenience.

The approach, he said, would extend access beyond scheduled radio broadcasts and create more opportunities for audience participation.

“The 456 days was about planting the seed. In the coming years, I wish to assure this gathering will be about harvesting the fruits of a partnership that is destined to grow even stronger,” he said.

Grace Ike, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, also commended the Chinese Embassy, FRCN and the China Cultural Centre for sustaining the programme, describing it as an important platform for cultural exchange, mutual understanding and stronger bilateral relations.

Ike said the initiative had demonstrated the ability of broadcasting to connect people, correct misconceptions and encourage peaceful coexistence by creating opportunities for audiences to learn about other societies.

She said the programme’s significance extended beyond the 456 days being celebrated, representing sustained communication, cultural exchange, mutual learning and people-to-people diplomacy between Nigeria and China.

According to her, relations between countries are built not only through official meetings and diplomatic engagements but also through everyday conversations, music, stories and cultural programmes that enable people to interact in an atmosphere of respect and goodwill.

The NUJ chairman said journalists had a responsibility to use their platforms to promote understanding and constructive engagement, adding that media initiatives supporting international relations and national development deserved sustained attention.

She called for the programme’s expansion through digital platforms and social media, particularly to reach young Nigerians and encourage wider participation in language learning and cultural exchanges.

Ike urged the organisers, presenters, producers, partners and listeners to build on the programme’s achievements and sustain its contribution to friendship and cooperation between the two countries.