China has announced its commitment to working closely with Nigeria to establish a new blueprint for bilateral cooperation, emphasizing deeper civilizational dialogue and mutual learning.
The goal is to significantly strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations and ensure its continuity.
According to a statement released on Monday, the 24th of November, 2025, by the Chinese Embassy, signed by Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai “Together, we will further strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute even more to building a community with a shared future for humanity,” a statement from the embassy on Monday, said.
The Asian nation is moving forward with tangible cultural projects, including the upcoming launch of the ‘Nihao! China’ radio program in Nigeria, implemented in collaboration with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
China highlighted that its dedication to cultural exchange is integral to its national development strategy. The Ambassador stressed that the historical philosophies of both nations lay a strong foundation for cooperation.
“China’s commitment to cultural exchange is also integrated into our national development plan,” the statement signed by Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said.
Referencing China’s millennia-spanning history, the statement noted: “With a history stretching back over 5,000 years, Chinese civilization has not only thrived but has also cultivated a philosophy that ‘One should value not only one’s own culture, but also the cultures of others, and this will contribute to the flourishing of all cultures.’
Similarly, the statement acknowledged Nigeria’s ancient heritage: “Similarly, with a rich history spanning millennia, Nigeria stands as a one of the cradles of African civilizations, nurturing the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and other cultures into a vibrant and symbiotic ecosystem.
Despite the geographical distance, the shared values of inclusiveness and harmonious coexistence have provided a “solid foundation” for deepened exchanges.
Cultural exchange has long been a vital part of the friendship between China and Nigeria, evidenced by numerous co-organized events. These initiatives, which include ‘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,’ “have significantly enhanced mutual understanding and deepened the bonds of friendship between our peoples.”
Cooperation has also flourished through educational and outreach platforms. Currently, 15 ‘China Corners’ have been established in public high schools in Abuja, and two Confucius Institutes are actively operating at Nigerian universities. Furthermore, the weekly ‘Nihao! China’ radio program has already reached an audience of over 7 million. This educational bond is also strong abroad, with the number of Nigerian students in China having exceeded 5,000 for consecutive years, while a growing number of Nigerian creators are gaining popularity on Chinese short-video platforms. The embassy stated that “Cultural exchange has truly become a key bridge in bringing the people of China and Nigeria closer together.”
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Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China is preparing to seize the opportunity presented by the ‘2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges’. The goal is to establish a “multi-level, broad-ranging, and regular cooperation mechanism,” making civilizational mutual learning a powerful engine for practical collaboration.
Future measures include continuing to encourage young people from both countries to participate in thematic activities such as academic exchanges, skills training, and startup incubation. China will also promote stronger news and information sharing between mainstream media outlets and further enhance the ‘Nihao! China’ program to better meet the Nigerian people’s interest in learning about China. Additionally, the nation plans to deepen exchanges and cooperation in the creative industries, with increased efforts in copyright cooperation and localized adaptation in sectors such as gaming, animation, and online literature.
China concluded by highlighting the ultimate benefit of this approach: “Through these measures, we will foster understanding via exchange and promote development through mutual learning, continuously promoting civilization exchange and mutual economic benefits between China and Nigeria.”
“There is a saying that civilizations flourish through exchange and grow richer through mutual learning. This idea is vividly reflected in the echoing voices of reading in the ‘China Corners,’ in the joint cultural performances on stage, in the overseas studies of young Nigerians, in the heart-to-heart interactions among ordinary people, and in the shared opportunities and collaborative exploration emerging in the creative industries. These dynamic scenes fully illustrate how different civilizations can coexist harmoniously, support one another, and prosper together.”