The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria have pledged to expand cultural exchange and strengthen people-to-people relations as their joint radio programme, Ni Hao! China, marked 456 days on Thursday.
The milestone was celebrated at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, where diplomats, government officials, media executives, cultural stakeholders and listeners gathered to assess the programme’s impact and explore ways to reach more Nigerians.
Launched in July 2025, Ni Hao! China is a weekly Mandarin language and cultural education programme produced by FRCN and the Chinese Embassy, with support from the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Chinese Embassy’s Cultural Counsellor and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, described the programme as an important platform for promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Nigeria and China.
Yang said the initiative had enabled Nigerians to learn Mandarin and gain insights into Chinese history, traditions, cuisine, festivals and everyday life. He commended FRCN for its commitment to the partnership, noting that the programme had created opportunities for cultural learning and personal and professional development.
The diplomat said the celebration was particularly significant as Nigeria and China marked 55 years of diplomatic relations alongside the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
He expressed confidence that the programme would further strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote mutual understanding between the two countries.
Yang called for improvements in programme content, innovative audience engagement and increased participation by young people to sustain its growth. He urged the producers to expand the programme beyond Mandarin lessons to include more content on Chinese culture, tourism, education and daily life, while also teaching audiences how to present Nigerian traditions and cultural heritage in Chinese.
He also advocated integrating radio broadcasts with digital platforms, short videos, social media and physical cultural activities to attract younger audiences. According to him, greater youth involvement in language learning and cultural exchange would help develop a new generation of advocates for Nigeria-China relations.
The Director-General of FRCN, Dr Mohammed B. Bulama, said the programme’s milestone demonstrated broadcasting’s potential to promote cultural education, international understanding and enduring relationships.
Bulama recalled that the initiative was initially regarded by some as an experiment when it was launched at Radio House, the corporation’s headquarters. He said it had since grown into a platform connecting people across geographical and cultural boundaries, introducing Nigerians to China’s festivals, traditions and innovations while showcasing Nigerian culture to wider audiences.
The FRCN chief said the programme had broadened engagement between both countries beyond business transactions and official diplomacy by fostering people-centred relationships. He commended the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre for their support and acknowledged the contributions of the producers, presenters and technical crew.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, described the initiative as an effective platform for cultural exchange and stronger bilateral relations.
Ike said the 456-day milestone represented more than the programme’s duration, describing it as a period of communication, shared learning and people-to-people diplomacy.
”She noted that the media could help correct misconceptions, promote mutual respect and foster peaceful coexistence when used responsibly,” the report said.
The NUJ chairman called on the organisers to expand the programme’s presence across radio, social media and other digital platforms to increase young people’s participation.
Ni Hao! China is broadcast through FRCN’s FM stations across Nigeria and is also available on the corporation’s website, YouTube channel and other online platforms.