Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, have called for stronger people-to-people diplomacy between Nigeria and China, identifying broadcasting, language learning and digital engagement as critical tools for deepening bilateral relations beyond trade, infrastructure and official engagements.
The call came on Thursday in Abuja as the FRCN and the Chinese Embassy celebrated 456 days of their joint Chinese-language radio programme, Ni Hao! China, with stakeholders urging the partners to expand its reach, strengthen two-way cultural exchanges and mobilise young Nigerians as ambassadors of friendship between the two countries.
The Director-General of FRCN, Dr. Mohammed Bulama; the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing; and the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the programme had demonstrated how broadcasting could bring people from different cultural backgrounds closer and foster mutual understanding.
The anniversary, held at the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, came as the two countries marked 55 years of diplomatic relations and China observed its Year of People-to-People Exchanges with Africa.
Speaking at the event, Bulama said the programme had evolved beyond what some initially regarded as a broadcasting experiment into a platform for strengthening friendship between Nigerians and Chinese.
He said that although relations between the two countries had traditionally been viewed through trade, infrastructure and diplomacy, Ni Hao! China had introduced a vital people-centred dimension to their engagement.
“Although Nigeria and China have enjoyed decades of diplomatic relations, often viewed through the lenses of infrastructure, trade and diplomacy, which we all agree are vital pillars, ‘Ni Hao! China’ introduced a new, essential pillar: the people,” Bulama said.
He explained that the programme, officially launched in July 2025, had used radio to introduce Nigerians to Chinese language, history, festivals, philosophy, food traditions and technological innovations, while providing opportunities to showcase Nigerian culture to international audiences.
For the FRCN chief, the initiative illustrates the enduring relevance of radio in a world where international relations are often measured by economic agreements and government-to-government cooperation.
“The FRCN, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, has moved beyond ‘Business to Business’ to ‘Heart to Heart’,” he said.
Bulama said the programme reflected FRCN’s public-service mandate and its motto, “Uplift the People, and Unite the Nation”, by using broadcasting to promote cultural education, international cooperation and constructive engagement beyond Nigeria’s borders.
He added that listeners in different parts of Nigeria could learn about China without travelling there, gaining insights into its culture and development while discovering common aspirations shared by both societies.
The director-general said FRCN would sustain the initiative by developing more compelling content covering Mandarin lessons, culture, education, tourism, innovation, business and everyday life.
He also disclosed that the corporation was integrating traditional radio with digital resources, including podcasts, social media clips, audience quizzes and other learning materials, to help listeners practise and revisit lessons at their convenience.
On his part, Yang said the programme had become an important bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries over its 456 days of operation, offering Nigerians an accessible avenue to learn Chinese and discover the country’s cultural heritage.
He said the programme was jointly produced by the Chinese Embassy and FRCN, with support from the China Cultural Centre, and was available through FRCN’s FM stations, website, YouTube and other online platforms.
Yang noted that the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China offered an opportunity to reflect on decades of political engagement, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.
He described Ni Hao! China as both a witness to and a driving force behind the growing relationship, adding that its contribution would become more significant during the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The diplomat, however, said the programme’s next phase should go beyond teaching Nigerians Chinese to create a platform for both countries to learn about each other’s cultures.
He called for lessons that would also teach listeners how to introduce Nigerian traditions, culture and everyday life in Chinese, arguing that such an approach would make the programme a more effective vehicle for mutual learning.
“We hope the programme will cover a wider range of topics, including Chinese culture, tourism, education, and other aspects of life in China. At the same time, we would love to see more lessons teaching listeners how to introduce Nigerian culture, traditions, and everyday life in Chinese,” he said.
Yang identified three priorities for the programme: richer content, innovative audience engagement and increased youth participation.
He urged the organisers to combine radio with short videos, social media and in-person cultural activities to reach more people, particularly younger audiences, and enable them to learn Chinese and explore China wherever they are.
He also expressed the hope that more young Nigerians would participate in language lessons, cultural experiences and bilateral exchange activities, eventually becoming ambassadors and promoters of Nigeria-China friendship.
The Chinese diplomat commended the FRCN management and production team, particularly Abiodun Ogidan, Director of Programme Production; Juanita, the programme’s producer; and Zhang Yaping, a Chinese-language teacher at the China Cultural Centre, for their contributions to the initiative.
In her goodwill message, Ike said the significance of the programme extended beyond the 456 days being celebrated, describing it as a demonstration of how purposeful broadcasting could correct misconceptions, deepen respect and promote peaceful coexistence.
She commended the Chinese Embassy, FRCN and the China Cultural Centre for using language and cultural programming to strengthen relations between the two countries.
She said journalists understood that broadcasting could shape opinions, influence relationships and inspire action, making programmes such as Ni Hao! China important instruments for international understanding.
“The programme has shown that when the media is used purposefully, it can do more than report events; it can bring nations closer, correct misconceptions, deepen respect and promote peaceful coexistence,” Ike said.
She stressed that friendship between countries was not built solely through diplomatic meetings and official engagements, but also through ordinary conversations, music, stories and cultural programmes that allow people to understand one another.
The NUJ FCT chairman urged the programme’s organisers to expand its reach through radio, digital platforms and social media, particularly to encourage more young Nigerians to participate in the cultural exchange.
She also called for continued support for initiatives that advance professional journalism, cultural diplomacy, language learning and responsible public communication.
Ike congratulated the organisers, presenters, producers, partners and listeners, saying the programme’s continued growth would strengthen cooperation and shared progress between Nigeria and China.
The three speakers converged on the need to make the programme more accessible, engaging and sustainable, with its future success depending on the ability to move beyond conventional broadcasting and encourage active participation by audiences in both countries.
For FRCN, the anniversary represents an opportunity to reinforce its public-service role by using its national reach to connect Nigerians with other societies. For the Chinese Embassy, it provides a platform to deepen cultural understanding alongside existing political and economic relations.
For the NUJ, it demonstrates the media’s potential to promote peace and international cooperation.
Bulama said the programme’s first 456 days represented the planting of a seed whose benefits would become more evident as the partnership developed.
“The 456 days was about planting the seed. In the coming years, I wish to assure this gathering that it will be about harvesting the fruits of a partnership that is destined to grow even stronger,” he said.
The event was attended by representatives of the Chinese Embassy, FRCN management, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Nigerian Press Council, the FCT Education Secretariat, the NUJ, the Society of Nigerian Artists, the University of Abuja and the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria, alongside media practitioners, Mandarin learners and other guests.
As the programme enters its next phase, the challenge for its partners will be to translate the goodwill generated by the broadcasts into broader participation, sustained language learning and more opportunities for Nigerians and Chinese to engage directly with one another.