UNIZIK Confucius Institute Selected as Model Case for China-Africa Cultural Exchange

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has recorded another major international milestone as its Confucius Institute has been selected as a model case of China-Africa cultural exchange by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.

The recognition comes during the 2026 Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges and highlights the growing international profile of the University under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ugochukwu Stanley Bond Anyaehi.

The Confucius Institute was recognised for its achievements in International Chinese Language Education, talent development and China-Africa cultural exchange, further placing UNIZIK among institutions contributing to stronger educational and cultural relations between Africa and China.

As part of the recognition, StarTimes, commissioned by CLEC, visited the University in June 2026 to film the Confucius Institute for its three-part documentary series, “My Story with Chinese” Africa Edition.

Two parts of the documentary, titled “Confucius Institute Stories,” showcase the Institute’s achievements in Chinese language teaching, talent development and participation in international competitions.

The third segment, “The Director’s Story,” focuses on the contributions of the Chinese Director, Professor Yu Zhangbao, particularly his role in supporting the development of the Chinese Studies Department and the growth of the Chinese language programme at the University.

The documentary has now premiered simultaneously on three StarTimes satellite channels, ST Guide E, ST Sino Drama and ST Zone, and is also available on the StarTimes ON platform.

With StarTimes’ extensive reach across sub-Saharan Africa, the documentary is expected to take the story of UNIZIK’s Confucius Institute, its teachers and students to millions of viewers beyond the University community.

The development has been described as another significant boost to UNIZIK’s international visibility and its growing network of global academic and cultural partnerships.

Under the Professor Ugochukwu Stanley Bond Anyaehi-led administration, the University has continued to place emphasis on internationalisation, strategic partnerships and initiatives capable of projecting UNIZIK beyond the Nigerian academic space.

The Confucius Institute’s recognition also provides a new platform for strengthening Nigeria-China educational and cultural cooperation, while promoting greater understanding and people-to-people relations between Nigeria, China and the wider African continent.

The University’s Confucius Institute is expected to build on the recognition by expanding its role in Chinese language education, cultural exchange and international collaboration.

The milestone further reinforces UNIZIK’s growing global presence and the administration’s vision of building “A Greater UNIZIK” with stronger international visibility and impact.