UNIZIK CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE, promoting China–Nigeria educational cooperation with the wider international community.
African Young Sinologist Publishes Article in Confucius Institute Magazine, Sharing Insights into Chinese Language Education and University–Enterprise Cooperation in Nigeria
The fifth issue of Confucius Institute magazine (Chinese–English bilingual edition) for 2026 has recently been published, featuring an article entitled Confucius Institutes and Chinese Enterprises Overseas by Prof. Anas Egwuatu Elochukwu, Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) and one of the first African scholars to receive a PhD scholarship under the China Studies Program.
Drawing on the perspective of a Nigerian scholar and the practical experience of the Confucius Institute, the article explores collaboration between Confucius Institutes and Chinese enterprises operating in Nigeria, particularly in talent development, employment opportunities, and resource sharing. It highlights how Chinese language education and China–Nigeria economic cooperation can complement and reinforce each other.
The article notes that, with the continued expansion of economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria, the influence of the Chinese language in Nigeria has grown steadily, accompanied by increasing interest among Nigerian young people in learning Chinese.
With the support of the Confucius Institute, the Chinese Studies programme at Nnamdi Azikiwe University has continued to expand and has become one of the University's programmes with relatively high student enrolment. In 2025, the programme admitted 234 students, exceeding the combined admissions of the French, Spanish, and German language programmes. This reflects both the growing appeal of Chinese language education and its development potential in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, graduates trained by the Confucius Institute have increasingly entered Chinese enterprises and related industries, contributing to language communication, cross-cultural understanding, and business operations. Chinese language education has not only broadened employment opportunities and career prospects for Nigerian young people but has also provided valuable local talent to support the development and localisation of Chinese enterprises in Nigeria.
The article also highlights the contributions of Chinese enterprises to the development of the Confucius Institute. Over the years, several Chinese companies have established cooperative relationships with the Institute by offering internship and employment opportunities, donating materials, and supporting improvements to teaching and residential facilities.
One example is Yongxing Steel Company, which has consistently demonstrated concern for the welfare of the Institute's Chinese teachers. In addition to providing gifts and essential supplies during major festivals, the company has financed the installation of solar power facilities and the drilling of a borehole at the teachers' residential quarters. These contributions have helped improve living conditions and support the Institute's daily operations, demonstrating the value of resource sharing, mutual support, and mutually beneficial cooperation between Confucius Institutes and Chinese enterprises.
As a Nigerian scholar who has long been involved in the development and management of the Confucius Institute, Prof. Anas draws on his experience in teaching, administration, and academic research to examine practical models of cooperation between Chinese language education institutions and Chinese enterprises. His article offers useful insights into how international Chinese language education can better respond to local employment needs and contribute to economic and social development.
The publication of this article also represents another achievement of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in documenting its educational practices and sharing its experience in China–Nigeria educational cooperation with the wider international community.
About the Anas Elochukwu
Prof. Anas Elochukwu is Professor of Modern Chinese History and Politics at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria, and the Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute at the University. He was among the first African scholars selected for the Chinese Studies Programme (CSP) PhD Fellowship.
He graduated from the Department of History and International Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2004 with First Class Honours and obtained his Master's degree in 2009. He was twice awarded the Chinese Ambassador's Scholarship to pursue further studies at Northeast Normal University, China, from 2007 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2010. In 2013, he was selected for the inaugural Chinese Studies Programme PhD Fellowship and enrolled at Xiamen University, where he pursued his doctoral studies under the supervision of the renowned sociologist, Prof. Hu Rong. He obtained his PhD (which focused on the African community in Guangzhou) in 2017, having spent a total of seven years studying in China.
Prof. Anas began teaching in the Department of History and International Studies at his alma mater in 2010, while also serving as Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute. He was re-appointed to this position in January 2018 and has continued to serve in this capacity, making him the longest-serving Nigerian Deputy Director in the Institute's history. He also served as Head of the Department of Chinese Studies from January 2022 to September 2024 and was promoted to the rank of Professor in October 2025.
Miss Tang Xuefei
Class Adviser in the Department of Chinese Studies，Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Teacher of Chinese to Speakers of Other Language (TCSOL), Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
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