Nigeria, China Strengthen Cultural Ties as Food Festival Marks 55 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Nigeria and China have renewed their commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy, tourism and people-to-people relations as the two countries marked 55 years of formal diplomatic relations with the 2026 Nigeria–China Food Festival.

The festival, themed “Bridging Culture Through Cuisine,” brought together government officials, diplomats, chefs, hospitality professionals and cultural practitioners from both countries.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, described food as a powerful instrument for preserving cultural heritage, creating livelihoods and strengthening relationships between peoples.

“Food does not merely nourish the body. It tells stories, preserves heritage, creates livelihood, and brings people together,” she said.

The minister noted that Nigeria and China established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971, and had since expanded cooperation beyond diplomacy into trade, infrastructure, education, technology, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

She said Nigeria’s tourism and creative industry mapping identified food and beverages as the largest sub-sector of the country’s tourism economy, making gastronomy an important component of Nigeria’s tourism identity and global cultural brand.

According to her, the festival provided an opportunity for chefs, food entrepreneurs, hospitality businesses and cultural practitioners to exchange knowledge, explore new markets and tell Nigerian stories through cuisine.

Food as bridge between two cultures

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, described the festival as a meeting point between two ancient civilisations with rich culinary traditions.

He said food provided an important window into the history, geography and identity of a people.

Participants at the festival experienced 14 dishes representing China’s major culinary regions, alongside Nigerian delicacies drawn from the country’s six geopolitical zones.

The ambassador reaffirmed China’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in culture, education, arts, sports and youth development while strengthening people-to-people exchanges.

Zhou also highlighted growing economic relations between the two countries, pointing to China’s zero-tariff treatment for African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing as an opportunity for Nigeria to expand exports to the Chinese market.

NIHOTOUR seeks global food tourism industry

The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade, said Nigeria possessed a rich culinary heritage capable of supporting a globally recognised food tourism industry.

Fagade urged the country to package, standardise, promote and commercialise indigenous Nigerian cuisines while preserving their authenticity.

He said the success of the festival should not be measured only by the food and cultural displays but by the partnerships, businesses, skills and friendships generated through the event.

The festival featured Nigerian and Chinese cuisines, cultural performances and food exhibitions, providing another platform for both countries to strengthen their longstanding friendship while exploring opportunities in tourism, hospitality and the creative economy.

The event also underscored the growing role of cultural exchange and gastronomy as tools for strengthening diplomatic relations and creating economic opportunities between Nigeria and China.