Again, UNIZIK Confucius Institute Sweeps Top Five Places, Wins National Championship at the 25th Chinese Bridge Competition
The National Online Final of the 25th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for College Students in Nigeria concluded successfully in June 2026 after two days of intense competition.
The Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) achieved a historic breakthrough by sweeping all of the top five positions nationwide. The Institute entered five outstanding contestants, all of whom were female, and each secured a place among Nigeria’s top five competitors.
Among the winners, Ms. Ogechi Chizaram Chibuike (戚天雅), coached by Ms. Deng Juan, and Ms. Ezemba Maryjane Chinelo (马丽丽), coached by Ms. Zhang Aiwu, won Third Prize.
Ms. Okeke Jessica Chinemerem (刘茜茜), coached by Ms. Zhang Le, and Ms. Onyeocha Cecilea Ugochi (赵诗惠), coached by Ms. Zhang Aiwu, received Second Prize. Ms. Okeke Jessica Chinemerem also won the Best Talent Award. As the competition’s first runner-up, Ms. Onyeocha Cecilea Ugochi will travel to China in July to attend the Global Final at Xiamen University as an observer.
Ms. Emmanuel Faith Mba Orjiugo (陆星瑶) emerged as the National Champion and will represent Nigeria at the Global Final in China.
This victory marks the 13th Nigerian national championship won by a student from the UNIZIK Confucius Institute since 2018 and the Institute’s sixth national title in the College Students Category.
A statement released by Prof. Anas Egwuatu Elochukwu, Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University disclosed that the Institute has established an outstanding record in the Chinese Bridge Competition.
Anas who is the Pioneering Recipient of the New Sinology Plan in Africa said that
Among its previous college-category national champions, two won Global First Prize (Top 10 Worldwide), two received Global Third Prize (Top 30 Worldwide), and one became African Champion (Top 5 Globally).
“To date, the Institute has produced 11 national champions across both the College Students and Secondary School Students categories. Every one of these champions advanced to the Global Top 30, earning a total of four Global First Prizes, four Global Third Prizes, and three African Championships”
“Ms. Emmanuel Faith Mba Orjiugo is currently preparing for the Global Final, which will be held at Xiamen University this July. The Institute wishes her every success as she seeks to bring further honour to Nigeria and contribute to the celebration of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, as well as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges,” he stated.
It would be recalled that the CI students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University had earlier won the Nigeria National Final of the 19th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students held online on 4th June 2026.
Both the Vice Chancellor/ Nigeria Director of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie and the Chinese Director, Prof. Yu Zhangbao have congratulated the students for their excellent performances.