All 14 students in the second cohort of West Africa’s first “2+2” joint undergraduate programme in Chinese Studies have recently arrived at Xiamen University and completed their registration. They will undertake the final two years of their undergraduate studies in China, beginning a new chapter in this China–Nigeria educational partnership.
The programme agreement was signed in 2024 by Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Xiamen University and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China’s Ministry of Education. Officially launched in 2025, the programme selects Chinese Studies students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University to complete their final two years at Xiamen University after undertaking their first two years in Nigeria. The inaugural cohort of six students travelled to China in 2025, bringing the total number of beneficiaries across the two cohorts to 20.
The increase from six students in the first cohort to 14 in the second reflects both the students’ improving Chinese proficiency and the programme’s growing appeal and influence following its first year of implementation. It has opened up further opportunities for young Nigerians to pursue advanced studies in China.
Since pioneering Chinese language education in West Africa in September 2006, establishing an undergraduate programme in Chinese Studies in 2013, and subsequently introducing the “2+2” programme, Nnamdi Azikiwe University has progressively developed a pathway from language instruction to degree education and international joint training. These developments have also created a stronger and more enduring platform for cultural and people-to-people exchanges between young Nigerians and Chinese.
The Chinese side currently provides funding for 15 students annually. During his visit to Xiamen University in June 2026, Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s seventh Vice-Chancellor, who also serves as Chairman of the Confucius Institute’s Governing Board and its Nigerian Director, pledged to provide an additional 10 funded places each year from 2027. If implemented, this commitment would increase the programme’s annual funding capacity to 25 students, benefiting more young Nigerians interested in Chinese Studies.
During preparations for the second cohort’s departure, the Chinese Consulate-General in Lagos provided valuable support, including professional guidance and assistance with visa applications and related procedures. This assistance helped all 14 students successfully complete the necessary arrangements for their journey to China.
The institutions implementing the programme express their sincere gratitude to the Consulate-General and look forward to continued cooperation among all partners to advance the programme and nurture more talent for China–Nigeria educational cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Miss Zhang Le
Class Adviser in the Department of Chinese Studies，Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Teacher of Chinese to Speakers of Other Language (TCSOL), Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
