Abstract:
The Confucius Institutes (CIs), a window into China for many people, have been a major conveyor of Chinese language and culture since 2004 when the first CI was established in Seoul. Before their establishment, the world had little acquaintance with both the Chinese language and Chinese culture. The language was not spoken by the vast majority of non-native speakers who can speak it today. Similarly, general awareness of the culture was limited to things like kung fu and chop sticks. Africa is, perhaps, the region where the existence of the CIs is being felt the most. Due to the aggressiveness of certain CIs in that continent, the Chinese language and culture have become popular with Africans. This paper is about the role of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in communicating China to Nigerians. Established twelve years ago, that CI (popularly
known as UNIZIK CI) is the leading purveyor of the Chinese language and culture in Nigeria.
