By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership has emphasised the strategic importance of language in driving economic growth, innovation, and cross-border collaboration as the world marks Chinese Language Day 2026.
Chinese Language Day, established by the United Nations in 2010 to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity, is observed this year under the theme “Characters Endure, Civilization Shines.” The theme underscores the role of language in shaping identity, preserving heritage, and facilitating economic diplomacy in a globalised world.
In a statement, Director-General of NCSP, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, described the Chinese language as emblematic of the discipline, structure, and long-term vision that have driven China’s economic transformation.
According to him, Chinese characters represent more than a communication system, reflecting principles such as clarity, consistency, and strategic foresight—qualities he said are relevant to Nigeria’s development aspirations.
Tegbe noted that as Nigeria strengthens bilateral ties with China, language and cultural literacy are becoming increasingly vital to effective engagement, particularly in areas such as trade, technology transfer, and industrialisation.
He added that China’s development model offers valuable lessons for Nigerian businesses, including the need to build core competencies, adopt scalable systems, and pursue incremental innovation within structured frameworks.
“There is a direct link between communication and development outcomes,” Tegbe said, stressing that the precision of the Chinese language mirrors the country’s institutional strength and industrial expansion.
The NCSP reiterated that its mandate extends beyond facilitating agreements to promoting knowledge exchange that delivers measurable economic value. It noted ongoing efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improve access to Chinese markets, including through emerging zero-tariff trade arrangements.
Tegbe also encouraged Nigerian entrepreneurs to embrace long-term, systems-driven growth strategies, drawing on China’s focus on reinvestment, cost efficiency, and industrial clustering.
Chinese Language Day 2026, he said, highlights the connection between language and civilisation, presenting Nigeria with an opportunity to leverage cultural literacy for greater economic inclusion and global competitiveness.
The partnership reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria–China relations through structured, mutually beneficial collaboration anchored on shared growth and sustainable value creation
