By Ochiaka Ugwu
The resounding partnership between China and Africa has been acknowledged as truly unique and mutually beneficial by Nigerians and other African residents. Many had the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture of a wide variety of China and Africa peoples. Such diversity in the fussing of two cultures in Nigeria has never been before! Enhancing and boosting growth and development have increasingly become the commonest essential feature in consolidating the current relations between China and Nigeria as good partners.
Recently, the 2025 China, Nigeria Cultural and Tourism Festival held in Abuja under the collaborative efforts of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria and Nigerian Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy. While these two entities served as hosts, the trio of China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, African Fashion Festival Vogue and Chinese Tourism Promoters Initiative organised the event that was another great step to showcase China, Nigeria cultural connectivity and diverse culture to high-ranking government officials, entrepreneurs, business community, and the general public representing different strata of the society in a fully-packed Chinese Cultural Centre Hall and arena in Abuja.
The festival targeted at fostering increased interaction, contacts and understanding the significance of culture as an immense potential instrument for promoting bilateral relations between the peoples of China and Africa. While taking extraordinary steps these few years in promoting culture as an aspect of building positive image of the two nations and for better integration, China Cultural Centre in Nigeria led by Yang Jianxing has organized a lot of events that have really opened endless opportunities for robust People-To-People Contacts which enables the peoples to also share their unique corporate business models in the fashion and hospitality industry to potential investors in the Peoples Republic of China.
Speaking during the event, Nigerian Foreign Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar who described the festival as a celebration of culture, fashion, and tourism, said it was a testament to the strong and friendly relations between Nigeria and China that are two giants in their respective regions and influential partners in global development.
Tuggar represented by Director, Foreign Service Reforms and Innovation of the Nigerian Foreign Ministry, Amb. Bolaji Akinremi said the occasion offers unique opportunities to appreciate one another’s values, traditions, and creativity.
He noted that as it reminds that histories, languages and heritage may differ, the beauty of cultural exchange is in how it binds people together, fosters mutual respect, and enriches our societies.
He said that China’s long history and heritage, expressed through its rich traditions, arts, cuisine, and tourism, are a source of inspiration and learning.
He stated there are lessons and values to gain when one takes time to appreciate the other’s culture and festivals.
He revealed the exchanges between China and Nigeria create lasting bridges of understanding, friendship, and cooperation.
Tuggar informed that Nigeria—China partnership extends far beyond diplomacy and trade and about people-to-people connections saying the festival embodies that spirit.
He said that celebrating each other’s heritage, will strengthen our cultural bonds, political, social, and economic cooperation.
While thanking the Embassy of China, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, the China Cultural Center in Nigeria, the African Fashion Festival Vogue, and the Chinese Tourism Promoters Initiative for this laudable collaboration, Tuggar assured of Nigerian Foreign Ministry continued role in promoting Nigeria’s interests abroad and supporting initiatives, which advance mutual understanding, sustainable development such as been done by Embassy of China and China Cultural Centre in Nigeria.
Permanent Secretary of Nigerian Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad while commending Embassy of China, China Cultural Centre in Nigeria and Chinese Tourism Promoters initiative for their vision in organizing the event said the festivals were not only for entertainment but platforms for cultural diplomacy, creative exchange, and mutual understanding between China and Nigeria.
He called for the growth of friendship between Nigeria and China in mutual respect and prosperity, reaffirming the Ministry’ commitment to supporting initiatives that bring nations and peoples together through the transformative power of culture and tourism like China is doing in Nigeria.
He said that for over half a century, China and Nigeria have shared deep and mutually beneficial relations in culture, trade, technology, and education, noting the festival deepens that bond, allowing Chinese and Nigerians to experience one another’s traditions, cuisines, music, fashion, and artistic expressions.
He said the event was to showcase the immense potential of the creative economy ranging from African fashion designs to traditional Chinese artistry as well as opening of new opportunities for investment, tourism, and cross-cultural partnerships.
He said Nigeria, with its vibrant artistic traditions, diverse ethnic groups, and growing creative economy, stands as a beacon of cultural richness on the African continent as China boasts of a civilization spanning millennia, with a profound influence on global art, philosophy, and innovation.
He stated the festival provides an invaluable platform to showcase the best of both worlds, to learn from each other, and to forge new pathways for collaboration.
He noted that tourism sector holds immense potential for job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and the promotion of national identity, saying initiatives like the China-Nigeria Culture and Tourism Festival directly contribute to these objectives by attracting visitors, stimulating local economies, and showcasing Nigeria’s unique cultural offerings to a global audience.
He informed the Ministry is keen to explore further avenues for collaboration with their Chinese counterparts as it envisions more joint projects in areas such as cultural heritage preservation, creative industry development, and tourism promotion.
He expressed his conviction that by working with China, they can unlock the full potential of their cultural and tourism sectors, creating a brighter future for both Nigeria and China.
Yawale said the festival will be a stepping stone towards even greater cooperation and a deeper understanding between China and Nigeria noting that he is confident that the 2025 China-Nigeria Culture and Tourism Festival will be a resounding success, further solidifying the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and China.
Speaking earlier, Chinese Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou noted the two nations tourism exchanges which he said was dynamic had become vital bridges connecting their peoples and deepening friendship.
He revealed that despite the vast distance between the nations, China and Nigeria grow ever closer through cultural and tourism exchanges.
However, participants were particularly excited about the various activities that took place at the event which include cultural performances, art exhibitions, fashion showcases.
Culturally-designed costumes appeared on stage, the combination of sounds from traditional music instrument and an unexpected ear-deafening applause filled the entire hall in China Cultural Centre, Abuja.
The festival program included: Yangko Dance performed by Chen Huiling and Zhang Yaping from China Cultural Centre, Rhythms of the Northeast performed by Princess and Students from Chinese Corner, Naija Parade Dance done by African Fashion Festival Vogue, the Most Beautiful Sun (Song) sang by Yang Xin and Li Wei both from CCECC, Nigeria Unity Dance performed by Wazobia Art and Cultural Group, Pipa Solo: Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion performed by Wu Yijun from Chinese Embassy, Fashion Shows of China and Nigeria by African Fashion Vogue, The Fall (Chinese Dance) performed by Wang Jiayi from Eighteenth Engineering Company International Limited, Standing for Nigeria (Song) performed by Phil Roberts from Chinese Tourism Promoters Initiatives, Red Cliff-Heroic Farewell (Peking Opera) by Qi Weiyu from Eighteenth Engineering Company International Limited, Naija Fashion Show Dance done by African Fashion Festival Vogue, Chen Style Taichi Demonstration performed by Abuja Wushu Association.
Quite interestingly, festival guests saw all the beauty and diversity of the Chinese and African style. The festival ended with a food delight of both China and Nigeria cuisines, all of which offered a truly immersive and enriching experience of Chinese and Nigerian dietary.
Finally, guests and participants of the festival were received and greeted by the Cultural Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, who and his team did all within their power to make the event a great success.
The day really captured the actual essence of promoting people-to-people exchanges and humanity of Chinese people which form the bedrock of strong bilateral relations between China and Nigeria.
