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China and Nigeria have pledged to expand the reach of “Ni Hao! China,” a Federal Radio of Nigeria (FRCN) programme through digital platforms, broader content and increased youth participation.
Mr Yang Jianxing Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, made this known at a ceremony marking 456 days of the Chinese language programme on Thursday in Abuja.
Yang is also the Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria.
He said the programme, jointly produced by the Embassy and FRCN, supported by the Centre, had become an important platform for strengthening cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Nigeria and China.
He identified richer programme content, innovative audience engagement and greater youth participation as priorities for the programme.
He said the programme should extend beyond Chinese language lessons to cover tourism, education, culture and everyday 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,” Yang said.
According to him, this will make the programme a more effective platform for a two-way cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
Yang called for greater integration of traditional radio with digital platforms, short videos, social media and in-person cultural activities to attract younger audiences.
“By making the content more appealing and accessible, especially to younger audiences, we can enable even more Nigerian friends to learn Chinese and discover China anytime, anywhere,” he said.
Yang said the programme had become an important bridge of friendship between the two countries since its unveiling in July 2025.
He added that the initiative was particularly significant as Nigeria and China marked 55 years of diplomatic relations and the China Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
Dr Mohammed Bulama, Director General of FRCN, said the programme had demonstrated the potential of broadcasting to strengthen relations beyond conventional diplomatic and economic engagements.
“Today, as we celebrate 456 days of this remarkable programme, I want to declare that the bridge is not only built, it is thriving with the traffic of friendship and mutual understanding,” Bulama said.
He also said that the partnership had introduced a people-to-people dimension to relations traditionally viewed through infrastructure, trade and diplomacy.
“FRCN in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy has moved beyond ‘Business to Business’ to ‘Heart to Heart’,” he said.
Bulama also said the programme had enabled Nigerians in different parts of the country to learn about Chinese culture, festivals and everyday life, while also creating opportunities to showcase Nigerian culture to international audiences.
He said FRCN was expanding its digital learning resources to help listeners practise and revisit lessons beyond scheduled broadcasts.
“The future of broadcasting lies in the effective integration of traditional radio with digital media,” Bulama said.
He said FRCN was using podcasts, social media clips, audience quizzes and other digital resources to make the learning experience more accessible.
Bulama also urged the production team to continue developing content on Chinese language, culture, innovation, education, tourism, business and everyday life.
Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, said the programme demonstrated the media’s capacity to promote mutual understanding and strengthen relations between countries.
“The significance of this programme goes beyond the number of days being celebrated. It represents 456 days of communication, cultural exchange, mutual learning and people-to-people diplomacy,” Ike said.
She said media initiatives could help correct misconceptions, deepen respect and promote peaceful coexistence between different societies.
Ike urged the organisers to expand the programme’s reach through radio, digital platforms and social media, particularly among young Nigerians.
She said such initiatives were important because friendship between nations was built not only through official engagements but also through everyday conversations, cultural programmes, music and shared stories.
NAN reports that the Ni Hao! China programme is broadcast through FRCN stations across Nigeria.
It is also available through the corporation’s website, YouTube and other online platforms.(NAN)
