Nigeria, China seal media, film pact to deepen cultural cooperation

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By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

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Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China have strengthened their cultural cooperation with the signing of a Content Exchange and Cooperation Agreement between the China Movie Channel (CMC) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

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The agreement was signed during the China–Nigeria Film and Literature Symposium on Friday in Abuja.

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Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, highlighted the deep cultural and literary heritage shared by both nations.

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He said renowned Nigerian writers such as Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, alongside Chinese authors Mo Yan, Yu Hua, and Mai Jia, have played significant roles in promoting understanding between the peoples of both countries.

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The ambassador noted that Nigeria and China are global forces in visual storytelling and creative expression.

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According to him, China has more than 93,000 cinema screens and produces about 700 films annually, while Nigeria’s film industry releases over 2,000 films each year.

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He pointed to the positive reception of Chinese films such as My People, My Country in Nigeria and Nigerian productions including Lionheart and October 1st in China as proof of growing cultural appreciation between audiences in both nations.

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“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 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening cross-border cultural connections.

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He further noted that the agreement coincides with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

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Representing the Nigerian government, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, described the agreement as a major boost for Nigeria’s creative and digital media sectors.

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He also acknowledged China’s continued support through fully funded educational, technical, and capacity-building programmes that have benefited many Nigerian public servants and creative industry professionals.

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Ibrahim said that as Nigeria pursues policies aimed at using the creative economy to drive employment and economic growth, partnerships such as this provide valuable technical expertise and support.

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According to him, “This partnership will create new opportunities for professional development, technological innovation, and co-productions,” Ibrahim said.

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Also speaking, Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, highlighted the practical benefits of the collaboration.

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He said the agreement would expand access to content and could introduce AI-powered translation tools, enabling audiences in both countries to engage more easily with each other’s television programming and film productions.

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The symposium ended with joint panel discussions involving Nigerian and Chinese filmmakers, authors, and media professionals, with participants exploring opportunities for future co-productions, knowledge sharing, and talent exchange programmes.

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