By Emmanuel Emeka
Nigeria and China have renewed their commitment to strengthening cultural exchange, tourism and creative-sector cooperation as both countries marked 55 years of diplomatic relations through the Nigeria-China Food Festival in Abuja.
The festival, held at the Chinese Cultural Centre with the theme “Bridging Cultures Through Cuisines,” brought together representatives of the Nigerian and Chinese governments, members of the diplomatic community, culinary professionals, creatives and other stakeholders to celebrate the cultural bonds between the two nations.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, ESQ, FNHT, described food as a powerful instrument of cultural diplomacy capable of bringing people and communities together.
Musawa said food goes beyond nourishment, noting that every dish carries stories of history, heritage, creativity and identity while also creating livelihoods and strengthening social connections.
She noted that the festival was particularly significant as Nigeria and China commemorate 55 years of formal diplomatic relations, established on February 10, 1971.
According to her, the relationship between both countries has evolved from diplomatic ties into a comprehensive partnership covering trade, infrastructure, education, technology, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
The Minister highlighted the growing cultural interactions between Nigeria and China, noting that Nigerian music, films and literature have increasingly found audiences in China, while Chinese language, arts, martial arts and other cultural expressions have gained growing appreciation in Nigeria.
She said such exchanges demonstrate that relationships between nations are strengthened not only through diplomatic meetings and economic engagements but also through culture, creativity and shared human experiences.
Musawa said the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy recognises the enormous potential of Nigeria’s cultural and creative sectors to drive economic growth, create jobs and enhance the country’s global influence.
She explained that since its establishment in 2024, the Ministry had been working to strengthen the creative and cultural ecosystem, promote tourism, improve investment opportunities and position Nigeria’s heritage as an important economic asset.
The Minister also emphasised the growing role of gastronomy in Nigeria’s tourism industry, describing food as an important component of the country’s tourism identity.
She said the Ministry’s recent tourism and creative industries mapping identified food and beverage as the largest sub-sector of Nigeria’s tourism economy, with culinary experiences and food culture serving as significant motivations for domestic travel.
According to her, the development further reinforces the need to promote Nigerian cuisine as part of the country’s tourism offering and global cultural brand.
“Importantly, gastronomy is tourism,” Musawa said, stressing that culinary experiences could provide opportunities for food entrepreneurs, chefs, hospitality businesses and other creative professionals.
She described festivals such as the Nigeria-China Food Festival as important platforms for Nigerian and Chinese culinary professionals and creative practitioners to exchange knowledge, explore new markets and promote their respective cultures.
The Minister called for greater cooperation between Nigeria and China in gastronomy, tourism, hospitality, cultural exchange, culinary education and creative entrepreneurship, particularly as both countries celebrate their longstanding relationship.
She said food could provide a new avenue for deepening people-to-people relations and creating opportunities across both countries’ creative and tourism economies.
“When Nigerians and Chinese sit around the same table, we discover something powerful: our cuisines may be different, but our capacity to celebrate family, community, hospitality and friendship is remarkably similar,” she said.
Musawa expressed hope that the festival would strengthen the bonds between Nigeria and China, create new opportunities for the creative and tourism sectors and inspire many more years of friendship and cooperation.
The event further highlighted the potential of food and gastronomy as tools for cultural diplomacy, tourism development, economic empowerment and international cooperation, providing participants with an opportunity to appreciate the culinary traditions of both countries.
As Nigeria and China continue to build on more than five decades of diplomatic relations, the festival served as a reminder of the role culture can play in bringing nations and their people closer together.
