UNIZIK Confucius Institute Wins 13th Global Honour as Nigerian Student Takes Third Prize at Chinese Bridge

It has been a remarkable year for the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK CI), as Nigerian secondary school student Justina Uchechi Michael emerged as the winner of a Global Third Prize at the 19th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students.

The global final of the competition, which featured 124 contestants from different countries, was held on September 21, 2026, at Tianjin Radio and Television Station in China.

Justina Uchechi Michael, a 17-year-old student of UNIZIK CI whose Chinese name is Mai Yalan, represented Nigeria at the competition and delivered an impressive performance to secure the Global Third Prize.

Her coach, Qin Fangfang, was also recognised with the Outstanding Instructor Award. It was the second time this year that Qin received the honour, following her recognition at the “Chinese Bridge” competition for university students in August.

Justina’s achievement is particularly notable because she had studied Chinese for less than 18 months before participating in the competition. It was also her first experience in an international competition of such scale and intensity.

Competing against students from around the world, she progressed through several stages of the competition to reach the Global Top 30.

Justina was the only contestant among the Global Top 30 who had studied Chinese for less than two years. The other five African contestants who reached the Top 30 had each studied Chinese for more than four years, while one had previously participated in the global “Chinese Bridge” competition.

For a 17-year-old student with less than 18 months of Chinese-language training, the achievement represents a significant milestone. It also highlights the results of UNIZIK CI’s sustained efforts in Chinese-language teaching, cultural exchange, competition training and the development of internationally oriented young talents.

The latest honour adds to what has been a successful year for the institute. In August, Miss Faith Emmanuel Mba won a Global Third Prize at the “Chinese Bridge” Competition for College Students.

With the two achievements, UNIZIK CI has now secured two Global Third Prizes in the “Chinese Bridge” competitions in 2026.

Since 2018, 13 contestants from UNIZIK CI have represented Nigeria at the global finals of the “Chinese Bridge” competitions in China, with all 13 reaching the Global Top 30. The institute has recorded 13 appearances and 13 Top-30 finishes.

Among the 13 contestants, six have won Global Third Prizes, four have won Global First Prizes, and three have been crowned African Champions.

The consistent results have established UNIZIK CI as a prominent participant on the global “Chinese Bridge” stage.

According to Prof. Zhang Aiwu, a Teacher of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL) at the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, a single success may sometimes involve an element of chance, but sustained excellence over several years is the result of long-term dedication, commitment and perseverance.

He said the honours not only chronicle the journeys of generations of young Nigerians learning Chinese and discovering China, but also demonstrate the achievements of UNIZIK CI in advancing international Chinese-language education and strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and China.