The federal government has reiterated its commitment to developing the country’s creative industry to make it a major contributor to the national economy.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, made the commitment on Thursday during a cultural event organised by the Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja. The programme was themed: ‘Shared Moon, Shared Moment. Meet in Africa – Human Culture and Tourism in Nigeria.’
Artists and cultural practitioners from Hunan Province, China, graced the occasion and presented a rich showcase of song, dance, theatre, acrobatic arts, and shadow art.
Ibrahim, represented by ministry official Musa Alhamdu, stated, ‘Nigeria is committed to developing its creative economy as a significant contributor to national development, employment, tourism, investment, and international cultural relations.’
He emphasised that Nigeria possesses an evolving cultural heritage deeply rooted in its history, providing a strong foundation for sustained cultural cooperation between Nigeria and China.
The Permanent Secretary noted that both nations share extraordinary cultural diversity and deep-rooted traditions ranging from indigenous music, dance, theatre, visual arts, festivals, crafts, fashion, and film, to literature and contemporary creative industries.
‘We, therefore, see cultural exchange with China not only as an avenue for artistic interaction, but also as an opportunity to explore new partnerships, creative collaborations, tourism opportunities, skills development, and avenues for our young people to participate in the global creative economy,’ he said.
He added that the theme of the event beautifully captured the spirit of friendship, shared humanity, and mutual understanding connecting both nations.
‘Culture has a unique ability to bring people together. It transcends language, geography, and differences, allowing us to discover what we share as human beings,’ Ibrahim said. ‘Through music, dance, theatre, acrobatics, puppetry, traditional arts, and other creative expressions, we can tell our stories, preserve our heritage, and build bridges between communities and nations.’
‘Today’s programme is much more than a performance,’ he added. ‘It is a celebration of Nigeria-China friendship, cultural diversity, mutual respect, and people-to-people exchange.’
Welcoming the visiting artists from Hunan Province, the Permanent Secretary expressed enthusiasm for showcasing Nigeria’s warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage.
‘For us at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, cultural diplomacy is an important instrument for strengthening international relations, promoting tourism, and creating opportunities for our creative practitioners. Programmes such as this enable artists to travel, collaborate, learn from one another, and introduce new audiences to the riches of their respective cultures while demonstrating the economic potential of culture,’ he stated.
Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre, noted that the Mid-Autumn Festival holds a special place in Chinese tradition.
He stressed that the festival, commencing on Friday, September 25, 2026, serves as a poignant reminder of family and reunions. Quoting an ancient Chinese proverb-‘The same moon shines over us, though we may be thousands of miles apart’-the envoy explained that it conveys a universal longing for reunion, harmony, peace, and a better life.
‘In many ways, the Mid-Autumn Festival reflects some of the most cherished values of Chinese culture: family, the warmth of reunion, the pursuit of harmony, and our longing for peace. These simple yet profound sentiments resonate deeply with Nigeria’s rich cultural traditions. Although China and Nigeria are thousands of miles apart, our shared appreciation for family, friendship, and a better life brings our hearts closer together,’ Yang said.
He also disclosed that Hunan Province is home to three World Heritage sites and has nine items inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
He added that the province maintains active exchanges and strong ties with Nigeria across trade, economy, and people-to-people relations.