Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China have taken a major step toward expanding their cultural diplomacy following the signing of a Content Exchange and Cooperation Agreement between the China Movie Channel (CMC) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The signing ceremony and accompanying China–Nigeria Film and Literature Symposium took place in Abuja, bringing together top diplomats, cultural leaders, and creative industry stakeholders from both nations.
Addressing attendees, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, highlighted the rich historical and artistic foundations shared by both countries.
He noted that literary giants such as Nigeria’s Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie alongside China’s Mo Yan, Yu Hua, and Mai Jia-have long served as vital bridges for mutual societal understanding.
Ambassador Yu emphasized that both nations are major visual storytelling powerhouses.
China currently operates over 93,000 cinema screens and produces roughly 700 films annually, while Nigeria’s film industry produces over 2,000 films each year.
He cited the local screening success of Chinese titles like My People, My Country in Nigeria, as well as Nigerian films like Lionheart and October 1st in China, as evidence of strong audience appreciation.
”The mutual appreciation of literature and film between the peoples of China and Nigeria is rooted in close friendship and cultural ties,” Ambassador Yu said, adding that the initiative aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Global Civilization Initiative and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s focus on cross-border cultural unity.
He noted that the agreement comes during a landmark year marking the 55th anniversary of China-Nigeria bilateral relations, the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Representing the Nigerian government, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, praised the agreement as a strategic milestone for Nigeria’s digital media and creative landscape.
”This partnership will create new opportunities for professional development, technological innovation, and co-productions,” Ibrahim stated on behalf of the ministry.
He commended China’s long-standing support through fully funded educational, capacity-building, and technical training programs that have benefited numerous Nigerian public officials and creative professionals.
Ibrahim added that as Nigeria implements policies to leverage its creative sector for job creation and economic growth, international partnerships with China provide essential technical momentum.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, underscored the practical impact of the partnership.
He noted that the agreement will broaden content accessibility including potential AI-driven translation integration allowing audiences in both nations to seamlessly engage with each other’s broadcast media and cinematic content.
The symposium concluded with joint panel discussions among Chinese and Nigerian filmmakers, authors, and media experts aimed at fostering future co-productions and talent exchanges.
