China, Nigeria strengthen cultural ties with fashion show

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The cultural fusion between China and Nigeria was elevated to a new height with the hosting of China-Nigeria Fashion Show by the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria.

The Fashion Show which was organized by China Cultural Centre in Nigeria and have the duo of Sygnific Stitches & Fabrics, China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria as co-organizers focused on connecting the cultures and creativity of China and Nigeria with the aim of promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mr. Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim said that Nigerian fashion sector had a lot to benefit from constructive engagement with China’s creative sector.

Ibrahim represented by Mohammed Tukura said fashion was a vital tool for cultural and people to people exchange, economic growth, and mutual understanding among nations.

He noted that Nigeria’s fashion industry, driven by designers, artisans, young creatives minds and entrepreneurs, had chance to leverage the opportunities from China through constructive and stronger engagement.

Ibrahim emphasized that converging China and Nigeria fashion designers together would open opportunities for collaboration, experience sharing, knowledge exchange, innovation, and economic growth.

While commending China Cultural Centre for organizing the event and creating the initiative, Ibrahim expressed optimism that the fashion show would further strengthen cultural relations between the two nations.

He pledged the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s creative industry and creating platforms that enable creative talent to connect with international partners and audiences.

In his welcome remarks, Cultural Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director, China Cultural Centre, Yang Jianxing said the fashion show establishes a platform for dialogue between Chinese and Nigerian clothing cultures, allowing Chinese aesthetics and indigenous African art to interact and blend.

He noted that through every stitch and thread, it carries forward and deepens the profound friendship between the two countries, serving as a vivid illustration of the “bond between peoples” shared by China and Nigeria.

He illustrated that each exquisite garment on display embodies a shared vision that multicultural exchange does not create barriers but rather fosters inclusive, forward-looking fashion trends, injecting fresh momentum into the fashion industries and creative economies of both nations.

Yang expressed that the fashion show marks a promising beginning, stating that the sharing of designs and industrial collaboration between the two sides will undoubtedly become a new engine for growth in their fashion sectors, further enriching the cultural lives of the peoples.

He pledged continued expansion of channels for people-to-people exchange, deepen practical cooperation across various sectors, and celebrate the profound friendship between China, Africa, and Nigeria.

Director of Culture and Traditional Affairs, City Boy Movement and Guest of Honour of the event, Hajiya Binta Mu’azu Mayana who thanked China for the partnership, and respect shown to Nigerian heritage, urged people to look beyond the fabric that come before them, but to see the hands that worked it, the traditions that shaped it, two great cultures meeting, and the friendship stitched into every piece.

Nigerian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Chinese business community, young creative minds, designers, models, creative industry stakeholders and members of the media graced the show.