China and Nigeria have strengthened cultural and media relations with the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between China Movie Channel (CMC) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), aimed at promoting film co-production, technology transfer, professional training and wider global distribution of creative content.
The agreement was signed during the China–Nigeria Film and Literature Symposium in Abuja as part of activities marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries and the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The partnership is expected to deepen collaboration between the creative industries of both nations while creating new opportunities for knowledge sharing, skills development and cultural diplomacy.
READ ALSO: Nigeria, China Seek Deeper Strategic Partnership, Economic Cooperation
Speaking at the event, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, described literature and film as powerful tools for preserving history, promoting mutual understanding and strengthening friendship among nations.
“Literature and film are among the finest achievements of human civilisation. Through their unique narrative and audiovisual languages, they vividly record history, social transformation, human emotions and reflections on the future,” he said.
Yu noted that China and Nigeria, both known for their rich cultural heritage and vibrant creative industries, had continued to expand cultural exchanges through literature, cinema and people-to-people engagement.
According to him, Chinese literary works and films are gaining popularity in Nigeria, while Nigerian authors and Nollywood productions are attracting growing audiences in China.
“We firmly believe that deeper exchanges and shared prosperity in literature and film between China and Nigeria will enable our two countries to amplify the voice of the Global South more effectively on the international stage,” the Ambassador said.
He added that the newly signed cooperation agreement would provide a stronger platform for cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries.
Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Dembos, described the agreement as the beginning of a new phase of creative collaboration between Nigeria and China.
“Today’s event represents much more than the formal signing of a document. It marks the beginning of a promising new chapter in the enduring relationship between Nigeria and China, a partnership founded on friendship, mutual respect, shared aspirations and a firm belief in the power of culture to unite peoples and nations,” Dembos said.
He explained that the partnership would facilitate content co-production, programme exchange, professional training, technology transfer and wider international distribution of creative works from both countries.
“The CMC–NTA Strategic Cooperation Agreement will provide a strong platform for content co-production, programme exchange, professional training, technology transfer and the wider distribution of Nigerian and Chinese creative works,” he stated.
Dembos noted that the collaboration aligns with NTA’s vision of becoming a modern, competitive and digitally driven public broadcaster while creating new opportunities for filmmakers, writers and young creative talents.
Representing the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Permanent Secretary Abdulkazim Ibrahim commended China for its long-standing support for Nigeria through educational, cultural and capacity-building programmes.
He described the CMC–NTA partnership as a significant milestone that would promote knowledge sharing, technological innovation, skills development and greater global visibility for the creative industries of both countries.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding cooperation with China in culture, tourism, education, media and technology.
“This important occasion is another testimony to the enduring friendship and mutually beneficial partnership between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China. It also reflects our shared commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy, promoting creative industry collaboration and fostering greater people-to-people understanding through the arts, film, tourism and cultural exchange,” he emphasised.
Also speaking, Deputy General Manager of China Intercontinental Communication Centre Publishing and Media Company Limited, Guan Hong, said the symposium represented a practical effort to transform mutual appreciation between the civilisations of China and Nigeria into tangible cooperation.
“Today, we gather with a shared aspiration to translate the profound mutual appreciation between our civilisations into tangible cooperation,” she stated
According to Guan, the event forms part of efforts to implement the Global Civilisation Initiative and promote collaboration in film co-production, literary translation and youth exchanges.
She added that the China Intercontinental Communication Centre remains committed to promoting cultural dialogue through books, films and digital media while helping China and the rest of the world better understand one another.
The symposium featured discussions among writers, filmmakers and scholars from both countries on the role of literature and cinema in national development, cultural preservation and international understanding.
Participants also watched the Chinese martial arts film “The Valiant One,” as part of the cultural exchange programme.
The event attracted senior government officials, diplomats, media executives, broadcasters, authors, academics and members of Nigeria’s creative industry, who expressed optimism that the partnership would strengthen cultural diplomacy and create new opportunities for collaboration between the two countries.
