Translation Management in Sino-Nigerian Government Agreements: Professional Practices and Gaps

Bilateral government agreements between Nigeria and China are produced in both English and Mandarin Chinese, and the accuracy and professional quality of translations have direct implications for the legal enforceability, mutual understanding, and practical implementation of these agreements. This study examines translation management practices in Sino-Nigerian government agreements, focusing on the professional standards, quality assurance mechanisms, and institutional arrangements governing the translation process. A professional documentary analysis and interview design was adopted, with 20 bilateral agreements signed between 2015 and 2023 reviewed for translation consistency, and semi-structured interviews conducted with ten Nigerian government officials involved in agreement preparation and eight professional translators engaged on government contracts. Findings indicate that translation quality assurance processes are informal and inconsistent across ministries. Terminological inconsistencies between English and Mandarin versions of agreements have contributed to implementation disputes in three documented cases. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lacks a dedicated translation quality unit with Mandarin competence. Private translators engaged on government contracts are not subject to standardised qualification requirements. The study concludes that translation management in Sino-Nigerian governmental relations requires urgent professionalisation, including establishment of a National Translation Standards Unit with Mandarin specialisation and mandatory certification of Mandarin translators engaged on public contracts.

Keywords: translation management, Sino-Nigerian agreements, diplomatic translation, professional standards, government contracts