Nigeria and China have reinforced cultural and creative cooperation with the signing of a strategic agreement between the China Movie Channel and the Nigerian Television Authority, a move expected to boost content exchange, film co-productions, professional training and people-to-people exchanges.
The agreement was signed on Friday at the China-Nigeria Film and Literature Symposium held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, where government officials, diplomats, broadcasters, filmmakers and authors from Nigeria and China described literature and film as powerful tools for deepening bilateral relations and promoting mutual understanding.
Speaking at the event, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said the partnership represented another milestone in the growing relationship between the two countries, particularly as they celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
He noted that the agreement would advance cultural exchanges and provide a platform for greater collaboration between Chinese and Nigerian filmmakers and creative professionals.
“Today’s event marks an important step in advancing the Global Civilization Initiative and building a community with a shared future. We will witness the signing of the Content Exchange and Cooperation Agreement between China Movie Channel and NTA, creating a vital platform for enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples,” Dunhai said.
The ambassador highlighted the strength of both countries’ creative industries, noting that China has more than 93,000 cinema screens and produces over 700 films annually, while Nigeria’s Nollywood is the world’s second-largest film industry, with more than 2,000 films produced every year.
He said literary exchanges had also flourished over the years, with the works of Nigerian authors such as Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gaining popularity in China, while English translations of Chinese literary works and web novels had attracted young readers in Nigeria.
