Nigeria, China leverage radio for stronger people-to-people relations

Nigeria and China are using radio broadcasting to strengthen people-to-people relations, promote cultural understanding and deepen bilateral cooperation as the “Ni Hao! China” Chinese-language radio programme marked 456 days on air.

The Chinese Embassy’s Cultural Counsellor and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, and the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Mohammed Bulama, made this known at a ceremony marking the milestone at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja on Thursday.

Yang said the programme, launched in July 2025 through a partnership between the Chinese Embassy and FRCN, with support from the China Cultural Centre, had become an important bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries.

He said the programme had provided Nigerian listeners with accessible Chinese-language lessons while introducing them to China’s history, culture, food traditions, everyday life and cultural exchanges with Nigeria.

“Over the past 456 days, thanks to the dedication and joint efforts of our Chinese and Nigerian colleagues, ‘Ni Hao! China’ has grown into an important bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between our two peoples,” he said.

Yang noted that listeners could access the programme through FRCN’s FM stations, website, YouTube and other online platforms, making it easier for Nigerians to learn Chinese and gain a deeper understanding of the country.

He said the programme’s achievements were particularly significant as Nigeria and China marked 55 years of diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

The Chinese cultural counsellor called for an expansion of the programme’s content to cover more areas, including Chinese culture, tourism, education and everyday life, while also teaching listeners how to introduce Nigerian culture and traditions in Chinese.

“This way, the programme can become an even more effective platform for two-way cultural exchange and mutual understanding between our countries,” he said.

He also urged the organisers to integrate traditional radio broadcasting with digital platforms, short videos, social media and in-person cultural activities to attract more audiences, particularly young Nigerians.

Yang said increased youth participation in Chinese-language learning and cultural exchange initiatives would help produce a new generation of ambassadors and promoters of Nigeria-China friendship.

In his remarks, Bulama said the programme had evolved from what some initially considered a broadcast experiment into an effective platform for cultural education and international cooperation.

“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 programme had introduced people-to-people engagement as an important dimension of Nigeria-China relations, which had traditionally focused on infrastructure, trade and diplomacy.

He said the initiative had enabled Nigerians in different parts of the country to learn about China’s culture, festivals, history and technological innovations while providing opportunities to showcase Nigerian culture to international audiences.

According to him, the collaboration had demonstrated that broadcasting could serve purposes beyond news dissemination by promoting national development, cultural understanding and constructive international engagement.

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

Bulama commended the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre for their partnership, adding that FRCN would continue to develop content combining Mandarin lessons with stories about Chinese culture, innovation, education, tourism, business and everyday life.

He said the corporation was also integrating podcasts, social media clips, audience quizzes and other digital learning resources to enable listeners to practise and revisit lessons at their convenience.

Bulama expressed appreciation to the programme’s producers, presenters and technical crew, describing them as the people behind its success. He also thanked listeners for their feedback and continued support, expressing optimism that the partnership would yield greater benefits in the coming years.

In her goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the programme had demonstrated the capacity of broadcasting to connect people, promote understanding and build lasting relationships between nations.

Ike commended the Chinese Embassy, FRCN and the China Cultural Centre for establishing a platform that uses language and culture to strengthen ties between Nigeria and China.

She said the programme’s significance went beyond the number of days celebrated, describing it as 456 days of communication, cultural exchange, mutual learning and people-to-people diplomacy.

“The ‘Ni Hao! China’ programme has used that responsibility to highlight the richness of Chinese culture, strengthen Nigeria-China relations and encourage a better appreciation of the shared opportunities between both countries,” she said.

ALSO READ: Court sentences two Boko Haram allies to life imprisonment

Ike said cultural programmes could help correct misconceptions, deepen mutual respect and promote peaceful coexistence, particularly at a time when the world needed greater understanding and cooperation.

She urged the organisers to expand the programme’s reach through radio, digital platforms and social media to enable more Nigerians, especially young people, to participate in and benefit from the initiative.

The NUJ chairman reaffirmed the union’s support for media initiatives that promote cultural diplomacy, professional journalism, language learning and responsible public communication.

She congratulated the organisers, presenters, producers, partners and listeners, expressing hope that the programme would continue to strengthen cooperation and shared progress between the two countries.