The Impact of Chinese Scholarship Programmes on Nigerian Students’ Perceptions of China in South South States

Chinese Government Scholarships have funded thousands of Nigerian students to pursue higher education in China, creating a significant group of scholarship beneficiaries with direct experience of Chinese society and institutions. This study investigates how participation in scholarship programmes shapes Nigerian students' perceptions of China, examining shifts in attitudes toward Chinese culture, governance, and the bilateral relationship. A survey design was adopted, with questionnaires administered to 180 Nigerian scholarship alumni from South South states who returned from China between 2018 and 2023. The study tracks perception changes from pre-departure expectations to post-return assessments. Findings indicate that 81 percent of respondents report that direct China experience significantly modified their prior media-formed perceptions of the country. Cultural appreciation increased markedly, with strong positive sentiment toward Chinese hospitality, work ethic, and academic standards. Political governance perceptions remain divided, with many respondents learning to pragmatically distinguish Chinese government policies from Chinese societal values. Economic admiration for China's development trajectory is near-universal. However, experiences of racial microaggressions during study periods have left lasting negative impressions in 38 percent of respondents. The study concludes that the scholarship programme is an effective soft power instrument that generates nuanced, generally positive perceptions of China among Nigerian alumni, though addressing discrimination experienced by African students in China is essential for maintaining programme credibility.

Keywords: Chinese Government Scholarship, Nigerian students, perceptions of China, South South Nigeria, soft power