Nigeria has added Mandarin to its international broadcast bouquet as part of a deliberate strategy to project Africa’s perspective to the Chinese-speaking world and strengthen cultural diplomacy.

The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, disclosed this in Calabar at the 82nd General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).

Ndace said VON, which started as the External Service of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation before becoming autonomous in the early 1990s, now broadcasts in nine languages.

According to him, “the languages are English, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulfulde, Kiswahili, French, Arabic and Mandarin, with Mandarin added in 2026.”

“The addition of Mandarin in 2026 further expands our ability to connect Nigeria and Africa with Chinese-speaking audiences and strengthens the role of broadcasting as an instrument of cultural diplomacy and international understanding,” the VON DG said.

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH: SHC Tony Anegbe Akiotu, FNGE, FNIPR, Chairman-Elect, Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON)

He explained that the multilingual approach reflects Nigeria’s diversity and reinforces the principle that stories are most powerful when told in languages audiences understand and identify with.

Ndace said while VON tells Nigeria’s story to the world, it is committed to promoting national unity, development, peace and the country’s positive image.

He called for stronger collaboration among public, private and international broadcasters, urging them to embrace innovation, uphold professional standards and use their platforms responsibly.

The 82nd General Assembly of BON had a theme: “Broadcast Media – Bedrock of Democratic and Economic Advancement in Nigeria.” (The Sun)