Muhammed Sani Ladan, director of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secondary Education Board, speaks at the book donation ceremony at the China Cultural Center in Abuja, Nigeria, Sept. 11, 2025. (Nigeria China Cultural Center/Handout via Xinhua)

ABUJA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 13 "Chinese Corners" in Nigeria's secondary schools in Abuja, the country's capital, have received a substantial donation of books from the People's Education Press (PEP) of China, in a move to strengthen educational and cultural ties between the two countries.

The donation, held at the China Cultural Center in Abuja on Thursday, includes over 900 volumes of Chinese language learning textbooks and English editions of Chinese culture books, tailored to the needs of the "Chinese Corners." It was described by officials as a significant step in bolstering Nigeria's Chinese language learning initiative.

Muhammed Sani Ladan, director of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secondary Education Board, lauded the donation, emphasizing its long-term impact on local students and teachers.

"Education is life, wealth, and freedom. By giving us these books, you have genuinely given us life and have fulfilled the Chinese principles of shared prosperity for humanity," he said.

Excited students from beneficiary schools held a variety of Chinese and Nigerian cultural performances to celebrate the donation.

Speaking via video link, PEP President Huang Qiang said the donation is a direct response to a need identified while he was leading a delegation to Nigeria last year.

"PEP is willing to take this donation as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Nigerian educational institutions," Huang said, noting that the initiative would help cultivate more promoters of China-Nigeria friendship.

The partnership between the Chinese embassy and the FCT Secondary Education Board has led to the establishment of "Chinese Corners" in 13 schools in Abuja since 2013, where Nigerian teachers trained by the China Cultural Center have been teaching Chinese language, making it an important platform for China-Nigeria cultural exchange. ■

Chinese and Nigerian teachers jointly perform during the book donation ceremony at the China Cultural Center in Abuja, Nigeria, Sept. 11, 2025. (Nigeria China Cultural Center/Handout via Xinhua)