Chinese Language Proficiency as a Tool for Nigerian Public Sector Capacity Development

Nigerian government agencies that interface frequently with Chinese counterparts, financiers, and construction companies require civil servants with practical Chinese language competency to reduce dependence on third-party interpreters and improve negotiation effectiveness. This study examines the potential and practical feasibility of Chinese language proficiency as a public sector capacity development tool for Nigerian government agencies. A professional policy analysis design was adopted, combining document review of Nigerian civil service training programmes with structured interviews with 30 senior civil servants in Abuja ministries responsible for infrastructure, trade, and foreign affairs, and ten Chinese embassy and Confucius Institute officials. A comparative case study analysis examines Zambia, Ethiopia, and Kenya's approaches to embedding Mandarin in public sector development. Findings indicate that awareness of Mandarin's professional value is high among senior civil servants, but institutional investment in Mandarin training is negligible. Language training schedules conflict with demanding official calendars. Confucius Institute evening programmes are the most accessible but inconsistently utilised by civil servants. The study concludes that a structured Mandarin for Government programme under the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, with modular design, self-paced digital delivery, and HSK incentives for completion, would address this critical capacity gap. Lessons from African comparators suggest that institutional mandate and seniority endorsement are decisive implementation factors.

Keywords: Chinese language proficiency, Nigerian public sector, civil service capacity, Mandarin training, Abuja