The University of Abuja is set to establish a Confucius Institute aimed at promoting Chinese language learning and cultural exchange, according to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aisha Maikudi.
She made the announcement on Friday during a visit by a delegation from Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communications.
Confucius Institutes are global initiatives by China to foster the learning of Mandarin and Chinese culture while facilitating international cultural exchanges.
Prof. Maikudi highlighted the university’s longstanding relationship with China, noting that some students at the University of Abuja are already taking Mandarin courses.
She expressed excitement about the collaboration and reassured the Chinese delegation of the university’s full support, particularly in strengthening academic ties between Nigerian and Chinese institutions.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, praised the University of Abuja as one of the top universities in Africa and expressed hope for deeper partnerships between Chinese and Nigerian universities.
He emphasized the importance of cultural integration and productive cooperation between Tsinghua University and the University of Abuja.
Dr. Sheriff Ibrahim, Head of the Department of Political Science and a China-Africa relations expert, also spoke on the importance of the exchange program in enhancing mutual cultural understanding.
The visiting delegation, which included the Dean and Deputy Dean of Tsinghua University’s Faculty of Media Communication, two faculty members, and 17 PhD students, participated in a seminar titled “Mutual Learning between Chinese and Nigeria’s Civilizations” at the university.
