Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural, sports and people-to-people exchanges as both countries marked the Chinese Wushu (Martial Arts) Premium Exhibition in Abuja.
The event, organised by the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria in collaboration with Beijing Sport University, brought together government officials, diplomats, sports administrators, cultural enthusiasts and students to celebrate Chinese martial arts and cultural heritage.
Speaking at the exhibition, the Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria Mr. Yang Jianxing described Wushu as more than a sport, saying it serves as a cultural bridge that promotes mutual understanding and friendship among nations.
“As an important representative of excellent traditional Chinese culture, Wushu is not only a sport, but also a cultural language and a spiritual inheritance,” he said.
Mr Yang noted that the exhibition formed part of activities marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China as well as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
“We hope to use martial arts as a medium to build a new bridge for cultural exchange between China and Nigeria and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people of both countries, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Representing the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission’s Special Adviser on Legal, Strategy and Administration, Mr. Musa Ahmadu, said sports diplomacy remains a powerful tool for deepening bilateral relations between both countries.
“Sport speaks a universal language. It crosses borders, bridges differences and brings people together in a way that formal diplomacy sometimes cannot,” he said.
Mr. Ahmadu commended China for supporting capacity-building initiatives in Nigeria’s sports sector and called for expanded cooperation in areas such as sports administration, coaching development, sports science, infrastructure management and athlete development.
“We respectfully request that more of these capacity-building programmes be extended to the Nigerian sports sector,” he said.
He added that the National Sports Commission was ready to deepen engagement with Chinese institutions to promote youth development, sports education and international partnerships.
Also, the Director of Programmes, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mrs. Abiodun Ogidan, praised the growing partnership between FRCN and the Chinese Embassy, particularly through the Ni Hao China programme on the Network Service.
According to her, the collaboration has helped showcase Chinese culture, technology, tourism and innovation to Nigerian audiences while strengthening cultural understanding between both countries.
“This partnership has provided an invaluable platform for showcasing China’s culture, tourism, innovation and development achievements to Nigerian audiences while fostering greater appreciation of the enduring friendship between our two countries,”she said.
The exhibition featured martial arts demonstrations, lectures and interactive sessions led by experts from Beijing Sport University, providing participants with firsthand experience of Chinese Wushu and its cultural significance.
