Culture

Nigeria-China Cultural Exchange Promotes Tourism, Modern Values

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2025

China Cultural Exchange highlights tourism, cultural preservation, and modern values, emphasizing technology and sustainable investment for growth

Nigeria-China Cultural Exchange took center stage at the China-Nigeria Culture and Tourism Festival in Abuja, emphasizing the promotion of tourism, cultural preservation, and modern values.

Also read: China-Africa Mazu Culture Association celebrates anniversary, launches hunger relief initiative in Nigeria

Speaking on Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, represented by Bolaji Akinremi, urged the elimination of harmful practices that undermine human dignity while promoting positive traditions that reflect contemporary values.

“As we celebrate, it is also important to recognise the need to remove harmful practices that do not align with modern values of human dignity, while promoting and preserving the positive aspects of our traditions,” Tuggar stated.

He highlighted the role of technology in enhancing Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors, through digital promotion, cultural documentation, and innovative tourism experiences.

Tuggar also stressed the importance of sustainable investment to ensure that tourism sites become sources of pride, jobs, and national wealth.

He noted that cultural festivals, such as the Egungun Festival, Durbar Festival, Argungu International Fishing Festival, Ofala Festival, and Calabar Carnival, showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and provide opportunities for exchange and appreciation between nations.

Deputy Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, praised Nigeria’s cultural performances and highlighted China’s 5,000-year heritage and 56 ethnic groups, noting the significance of cultural exchanges in fostering mutual respect and collaboration.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, commended the organisers for their vision and stressed the economic potential of the sectors.

He emphasized that festivals are platforms for cultural diplomacy, creative exchange, and sustainable development.

Also read: Nigeria, China forge partnership to boost tourism, creative sectors

Muhammad further outlined plans for future Nigeria-China collaboration in cultural heritage preservation, creative industry development, and tourism promotion, reaffirming the government’s commitment to leveraging culture and tourism as drivers of economic growth and social cohesion.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

3 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”