The Nigerian state has approved the inclusion of Chinese (Mandarin) as a subject to be taught in senior secondary schools across the country. Government officials justify the move as an effort to strengthen diplomatic ties with China, arguing that Mandarin has become a global language of commerce, education, and tourism.
Yet, this policy decision invites deeper reflection. It sits squarely within the global debate on soft power versus neo-colonialism — how China uses language and culture to extend its influence. Through the promotion of Mandarin, the spread of Confucius Institutes, generous scholarships, films, arts, and festivals, China has positioned language and culture as instruments of diplomacy.
The distinction between China’s current approach and that of Europe’s colonial masters lies in the absence of direct coercion. Instead of force, China leverages the subtler tools of dependency, narrative control, and cultural embedding. This raises critical questions: Is the global spread of Mandarin genuine cultural exchange, or a strategic bid to reframe worldviews? Do Confucius Institutes simply foster learning, or do they also advance political narratives? At what point does cultural exchange become ideological penetration?
What the Nigerian state has failed to acknowledge is that Africa is the only continent where children are predominantly educated in foreign languages. By introducing Mandarin into Nigerian schools, government risks further sidelining indigenous languages — deepening communication gaps and undermining the cultural foundation of education. True development will not come from adopting another country’s language but from participatory policies rooted in local realities. When language adoption begins to overshadow national priorities, we must ask: is China becoming Nigeria’s new colonial master?
Adding Mandarin to Nigeria’s school curriculum will not elevate the nation to compete on the global stage like China. What Nigeria urgently needs is state investment in infrastructure, skill-based education, support for the informal sector, and the judicious use of public resources. Development requires leaders who serve the people rather than ruling elites who treat citizens as subjects.
History teaches us that colonial powers first introduced their languages, and then consolidated control over economies and politics. The lingering dominance of English in Nigeria is evidence of how language can shape thinking, erode local cultures, and entrench feelings of inferiority. Colonial legacies continue to distort education, governance, and cultural identity — obstacles that Africa must overcome to truly advance.
Nigeria, and Africa at large, do not need another symbolic adoption of foreign languages. They need homegrown solutions anchored in indigenous languages, knowledge, and culture. To ignore this is to risk repeating history.
Is China, under the banner of soft power, becoming Nigeria’s new colonial master?
Audu Liberty Oseni is the Director, Centre for Development Communication and Convener, OseniDevTalks. He is a passionate and results-driven Development Communication Leader with over a decade of experience designing and implementing communication-based solutions for sustainable development. Email: libertydreat@gmail.com; LinkedIn
