The Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Mohammed Bulama; Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Mr Yang Jianxing; and Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, have described the “Ni Hao! China” radio programme as an important bridge strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between Nigeria and China.
They spoke on Thursday in Abuja at a ceremony marking 456 days of the Chinese-language radio programme, held at the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria. The programme is jointly produced by FRCN and the Chinese Embassy, with support from the China Cultural Centre
Dr Bulama said the programme had grown from a broadcasting initiative into a thriving platform for cultural exchange, language learning and people-to-people diplomacy. He noted that “Ni Hao! China” had introduced Nigerian listeners to the Chinese language, history, traditions, festivals and contemporary life, while also creating opportunities for educational, professional and business engagement.
According to him, Nigeria-China relations should not be defined only by infrastructure, trade and official diplomacy, as cultural engagement and people-to-people contact are equally important.
He described the programme as a new pillar of bilateral relations because it brings Nigerians and Chinese closer through shared stories, language and cultural understanding.
The FRCN Director-General also announced plans to transform the corporation’s network studio into an audiovisual facility to strengthen its digital broadcasting capacity. He said the programme would benefit from the upgrade as FRCN expands its use of social media clips, online content, audience quizzes and other digital tools.
Director of the China Cultural Center, Mr Yang Jianxing described the milestone as evidence of the programme’s growing impact since its launch in July 2025. He said the programme had provided Nigerians with an accessible avenue to learn Mandarin and gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and everyday life.
Yang urged the organisers to expand the programme’s content to include Chinese tourism, education, business and cultural activities, while also teaching listeners how to present Nigerian traditions and everyday life in Chinese.
He further called for the integration of radio broadcasts with short videos, social media and physical cultural activities to attract more young Nigerians.
He noted that the celebration was significant as Nigeria and China mark 55 years of diplomatic relations, while 2026 is being observed as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
In her goodwill message, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike said the programme had demonstrated the power of broadcasting to connect people, correct misconceptions and promote peaceful coexistence. She commended the Chinese Embassy, FRCN and the China Cultural Centre for using language, culture and shared voices to build a meaningful bridge between the peoples of both countries.
Ike said the 456-day milestone represented more than the duration of the broadcast, describing it as 456 days of communication, cultural exchange, mutual learning and people-to-people diplomacy. She urged the organisers to continue expanding the programme through radio, digital platforms and social media, particularly to enable more young Nigerians to participate.
She reaffirmed the NUJ FCT Council’s support for media initiatives that promote cultural diplomacy, responsible public communication, youth participation and stronger relations between Nigeria and its international partners.
The event was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, media executives, journalists, students, Mandarin learners, cultural stakeholders and listeners of the programme.