Abuja: China and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy and people-to-people relations through culinary exchange. Mr. Zhou Hongyou, Charg© d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, made this announcement during the Nigeria-China Food Festival held in Abuja, showcasing the culinary and cultural heritage of both nations.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Zhou emphasized that the event was more than just a celebration of food, serving as an opportunity for Nigerians and Chinese to appreciate each other’s cultures through cuisine. “This is not just a feast for our taste buds, it is also a conversation and a meeting of our cultures,” Zhou explained. He highlighted how food acts as an important window into the geography, culture, and lifestyles of a people, with both countries showcasing a variety of dishes representing their respective regions.
The festival holds significance as Nigeria and China mark the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, first established on February 10, 1971. Zhou noted that the relationship has expanded beyond traditional diplomatic engagements, with increased cooperation in education, culture, arts, sports, and youth affairs. He also reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with Nigeria in implementing the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the Global Civilisation Initiative, which emphasize strengthening people-to-people connections and promoting shared development.
Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, highlighted the role of food as a powerful tool for preserving heritage, creating livelihoods, and strengthening relations between peoples. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Abdulkarim Ibrahim, Musawa noted the evolution of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership encompassing trade, infrastructure, education, technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
Musawa mentioned that Nigerian music, food, and literature are gaining audiences in China, while Chinese cultural expressions are receiving growing appreciation in Nigeria. She emphasized the potential of culture, tourism, and the creative economy to drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s global influence. The ministry aims to improve the creative and cultural ecosystem, promote tourism, strengthen investment opportunities, and position Nigeria’s rich heritage as an economic asset.
The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Fagade, stated that the festival demonstrated how culinary heritage could be transformed into cultural and economic opportunities. He highlighted the event’s theme, ‘From Farm to Feast,’ which captures the journey from farmer to consumer and the potential to transform cultural heritage into economic value.
Fagade emphasized Nigeria’s extraordinary culinary heritage and the need to package, standardize, promote, and commercialize it while preserving its authenticity to develop a globally recognized food-tourism industry. He noted that partnerships like the festival could facilitate cultural exchange, knowledge transfer, enterprise development, and stronger bilateral relations. The lasting success of the festival, he said, should be reflected in the partnerships it inspires, the businesses it supports, the skills it transfers, the visitors it attracts, and the friendships it strengthens.
The festival, reported by NAN, featured culinary displays, music, dance, arts, crafts, and cultural exhibitions, providing Nigerians and Chinese the opportunity to experience each other’s traditions through food.