The Nigerian government has unveiled plans to strengthen its tourism and cultural sectors by drawing inspiration from China’s success in cultural branding and creative industries.
Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, shared this vision during the New Year gala celebrating China-Nigeria friendship, held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja on Sunday.
Highlighting China’s global influence through its cultural exports—including food, martial arts, and cinema—Musawa remarked, “Everywhere you go in the world, you see an aspect of Chinese culture. This is something we want to explore—how we can monetize our own culture in the way China has done.”
The minister emphasized Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and expressed optimism about co-production agreements and capacity-building initiatives between the two nations. “We’re discussing projects that focus on infrastructure for the creative industry and cultural sectors,” Musawa said, adding, “It’s essential for Nigeria to tap into China’s experience in branding and tourism, with the aim of revitalizing our own creative industries.”
Yang Jianxing, Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCNIG) and Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, underscored the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges in enhancing bilateral ties. He revealed that the Centre plans to host a series of activities in 2025 to promote culture, tourism, and education, aligning with the “Beijing Action Plan” under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“These initiatives aim to deepen the friendship between the people of China and Nigeria,” Yang noted.
Hon. Jafaru Yakubu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, praised the enduring ties between the two countries and stressed the need for stronger cultural and legislative collaboration. “This celebration is geared toward rebuilding stronger cultural ties,” Yakubu said, adding that the Nigeria-China Relations Group would continue to explore legislative avenues to strengthen bilateral relations across sectors.
Nsikan Paul, Director of Drum Majors for Peace, highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy in fostering peace and understanding. “Peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of dialogue and collective action,” he remarked. “Through cultural exchange and advocacy, we aim to empower youth and promote inclusivity.”
The event reaffirmed the mutual commitment of Nigeria and China to deepening their cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties, setting the stage for a vibrant year of collaboration in 2025.
