China pledges new chapter in cultural and educational ties with Nigeria, boosting exchanges, creative collaboration, and people-to-people diplomacy

China has pledged a new chapter in cultural, educational, and people-to-people cooperation with Nigeria, anchored on deeper civilizational exchange and the forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan of the Chinese government, Ambassador Yu Dunhai said in Abuja on Friday.

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Highlighting expanding ties, Yu pointed to the weekly Nihao! China radio programme produced with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. The show, he noted, brings Chinese culture into thousands of Nigerian homes through accessible language and storytelling.

“Every Wednesday at 5 p.m., as Lagos’ Coastal Highway glows under the setting sun and Abuja vendors pack their last baskets of okra, Nihao! China carries greetings into homes across Nigeria,” Yu said.

The ambassador tied these cultural initiatives to China’s broader national policy, noting that the recently concluded Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

According to Yu, the plan creates new opportunities for China-Nigeria cooperation, particularly in civilizational mutual learning and cultural exchange.

“China emphasizes deeper global cultural interaction, extensive people-to-people cooperation, and the flourishing of cultural enterprises on the world stage,” he said.

Yu drew parallels between the long histories of both nations, highlighting shared values of inclusiveness and harmonious coexistence.

He cited ongoing collaborations such as Happy Chinese New Year, China-Nigeria Culture and Tourism Week, the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, the China-Nigeria Film Festival, and the China-Nigeria Table Tennis Friendship Tournament, all of which have strengthened mutual understanding.

On education, he noted 15 China Corners in public schools, two Confucius Institutes, and over 5,000 Nigerian students studying in China each year.

Looking ahead, China plans to deepen cooperation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

“China is ready to work with Nigeria to establish a multi-level, broad-ranging and regular cooperation mechanism,” Yu said.

“We will encourage youth engagement in academic exchanges, skills training, and startup incubation, as well as enhanced media and creative industry collaboration.”

He added that initiatives would extend to copyright cooperation and localized adaptation in sectors such as gaming, animation, and online literature.

“Civilizations flourish through exchange and grow richer through mutual learning,” Yu said.

“From reading activities in China Corners to joint cultural performances and students studying abroad, these exchanges demonstrate the transformative power of people-to-people cooperation.”

Concluding his address, Ambassador Yu expressed optimism for the partnership.

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“Standing at this new historical starting point, China is ready to join hands with Nigeria to draw a new blueprint for cooperation, strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.”