UNIZIK Confucius Institute Student Named 2026 Junior Cultural Ambassador

A student of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Miss Uchechi Justina Michael, has been named a 2026 Junior Cultural Ambassador by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.

The recognition followed the conclusion of the 2026 Junior Cultural Ambassador Programme, organised by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.

According to the organisers, 63 outstanding young participants from different countries were selected for the honour after undergoing multiple rounds of screening and evaluation by an expert panel.

Miss Michael, a 17-year-old student of the Confucius Institute at UNIZIK, was the only Nigerian selected for the prestigious international recognition.

The organisers noted that she earned the honour through her exceptional performance and previous success as a national champion in the Chinese Bridge competitions.

The latest recognition comes shortly after she won first prize at the Nigerian National Final of the 19th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students.

She is expected to represent Nigeria at the global final of the competition in China this September.

Reacting to the achievement, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Yu Zhangbao, described the award as a remarkable milestone.

He said the achievement reflects the growing excellence of the Confucius Institute and the university's continued contribution to educational and cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria.