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.

Yu said the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation had injected fresh momentum into cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

He urged writers and artists from both countries to continue creating works that promote mutual understanding and reflect the realities of their societies.

“I hope that writers and artists from both countries will continue to draw inspiration from real life, learn from each other, and create more outstanding works that resonate with audiences, helping our peoples better appreciate each other’s rich cultures and vibrant societies,” he added.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, described the symposium as another demonstration of the enduring friendship between Nigeria and China.

He said the CMC-NTA cooperation would create opportunities for co-productions, knowledge sharing, skills development, technology transfer and greater international visibility for creative talents from both countries.

“Today’s symposium and the strategic cooperation between China Movie Channel and the Nigerian Television Authority represent an important milestone in advancing collaboration in film, broadcasting, digital media and the wider creative economy.

“As Nigeria continues to implement policies aimed at unlocking the immense potential of the creative and cultural industries as drivers of economic growth, job creation and national development, partnerships such as this are both timely and invaluable,” Ibrahim said.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Dembos, said the agreement marked the beginning of “a promising new chapter” in the relationship between Nigeria and China.

According to him, the partnership would provide a platform for content co-production, programme exchange, professional training, technology transfer and wider distribution of Nigerian and Chinese creative works.

“We therefore regard this agreement not merely as an institutional partnership, but as a bridge between two great civilizations. We must ensure that it produces practical and measurable outcomes: quality joint productions, enhanced professional capacity, greater technological innovation and programmes that deepen mutual understanding between the peoples of Nigeria and China,” Dembos said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Abuja Chapter, Chukwudi Eze, said the symposium underscored the importance of literature and film in promoting cultural diplomacy and strengthening international relations.

He commended the Chinese Embassy for sponsoring two Nigerian scholars, Professors Razinat Mohammed and Emeka Aniagolu, on a literary and cultural exchange visit to China, describing the initiative as another step towards deepening literary cooperation between the two countries.

“This symposium reminds us that cultural diplomacy is just as important as economic and political diplomacy. Through books, films, poetry, theatre and the creative arts, nations come to know one another beyond headlines and statistics, fostering mutual understanding, respect and lasting friendship,” Eze said.

The symposium also featured discussions between Chinese and Nigerian writers, filmmakers and broadcasters on expanding cooperation in literature, film, broadcasting and digital media, as well as a screening of the Chinese film Blades of the Guardians.