Nigeria and China have renewed their commitment to strengthening people-to-people relations through cultural diplomacy, as Hunan Province showcased its rich cultural heritage in Abuja.
The commitment was made at the “Shared Moon, Shared Moment — Meet in Africa: Hunan Culture and Tourism in Nigeria” event, which featured music, dance, acrobatics and other traditional performances.
Speaking at the event, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of the China Cultural Centre, Yang Jianxing, said culture could transcend geographical and linguistic barriers and bring people closer.
Yang said the Hunan delegation’s visit was not merely about showcasing Chinese culture but also about deepening mutual understanding and friendship between Nigerians and Chinese.
He highlighted Hunan’s cultural heritage, noting that the province has three World Heritage sites and nine elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
According to him, Hunan and Nigeria have also developed strong links in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, with Changsha serving as the permanent host city of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo since 2019.
He said the cultural exchange was particularly significant as 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, Musa Alhamdu said the programme demonstrated how culture could build bridges between nations.
He said Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage, spanning music, dance, theatre, festivals, crafts, fashion, film and literature, provided a strong basis for expanded cooperation with China.
Alhamdu said cultural diplomacy could promote tourism, create opportunities for creative practitioners and contribute to employment, investment and skills development.
He called for increased collaboration among Nigerian and Chinese artists, cultural institutions, creative entrepreneurs, museums, theatres and tourism stakeholders.
