From David Onuoja, Abuja
Nigeria and China has deepened its cultural ties on Friday in Abuja with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the China Movie Channel (CMC), and the Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA); a move officials described as a new chapter in people-to-people exchange between the two countries.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said the agreement was a milestone for cultural collaboration.
He noted that 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Nigeria, and also the designated Year of China-Africa People-to-People and Cultural Exchange.
“This is a very important milestone to enhance our people to people and cultural exchanges. The deal would open doors for movie sharing and joint production.
Both countries, he said, brings weight to the global film industry. “Because both China and Nigeria, we are ancient civilizations, and we are also a big film players on the globe. With this signing of the agreement, I believe that it will elevate our cooperation to a new chapter”, the ambassador stated.
Yu Dunhai pointed to the growing public goodwill as a foundation for the partnership; citing a recent Pew Research Center poll which favorable opinion of China in Nigeria that reached 78 percent, the highest in Africa.
“I’m so happy that, you know, according to a very recent poll that their favorite opinion from Nigeria towards China reached 78%, which ranks number one on the whole African continent. I believe that people-to-people exchange and cultural exchange certainly play a significant role here”, he said.
Asked whether similar agreements were planned for other African countries, Yu said, China welcomes more partners, but Nigeria holds a special place. “Nigeria always has a very unique place in our foreign affairs policy. We hold Nigeria very high in our foreign policy because we believe that Nigeria is a major economy and is the most populous country on this continent”, Yu added.
Dunhai equally noted that both nations share common interests as members of the Global South and can “join hands in achieving our joint modernization.”
NTA Director General, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, on his part, said the agreement formalizes a relationship that has been building for years. Under the deal, NTA and CMC will exchange programs and co-produce local content. “It means that we will be exchanging programs and also have local productions with the CMC and NTA and of course, we will share our knowledge and of course heritage to the people of China and Nigeria,” Dembos said.
He described the presence of a high-level Chinese delegation for the signing as a mark of respect for the partnership.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Abdul Karim Ozi Ibrahim, who spoke on behalf of the Minister, framed the agreement within a broader cultural diplomacy push.
He said Nigeria and China enjoy “an enduring friendships and mutually beneficial partnership” and that the new cooperation would strengthen collaboration in arts, film, tourism and the creative economy.
Ibrahim also highlighted existing capacity-building support from China, which includes: scholarships, professional training, and cultural exchanges that have benefited Nigerian officials and professionals over the years.
“Today’s symposium and the strategic cooperation between China CMC and the Nigerian Television Authority represent an important milestone in advancing collaboration in film, broadcasting, digital media, and the wider creative economy. Expressing optimism that the partnership would drive knowledge sharing, skill development, technological innovation, and greater global visibility for creative talent in both nations”, Ibrahim revealed.
