Nigeria and China have used a food festival in Abuja to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations and promote stronger cultural, tourism and economic cooperation.
The Nigeria-China Food Festival, held at the China Cultural Centre, brought together government officials, diplomats, hospitality professionals, creatives and other stakeholders from both countries.
Speaking at the event, China’s Chargé d’Affaires in Nigeria, Mr Zhou Hongyou, said food provided an important platform for people of different cultures to understand one another and build friendship.
He said the festival featured 14 dishes from China’s seven geographical regions and 12 dishes representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, alongside cultural performances and exhibitions.
Mr Zhou said Nigeria-China relations had deepened significantly over the past 55 years, with bilateral trade reaching 18 billion dollars in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
He also said Chinese imports from Nigeria stood at about 2.3 billion dollars during the period, an 80 per cent increase, while urging both countries to conclude arrangements for China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing.
The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Aare Fagade, said the festival demonstrated how food could promote cultural exchange, tourism and economic opportunities, urging stakeholders to develop Nigeria’s culinary heritage into a globally recognised food-tourism industry.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said gastronomy was an important part of Nigeria’s tourism economy and could create jobs, attract investment and strengthen the country’s global cultural identity.
She said the festival provided opportunities for chefs, food entrepreneurs, creatives and hospitality businesses from both countries to exchange knowledge, access new markets and deepen people-to-people relations.
The event, with the theme “Bridging Cultures Through Cuisines,” also featured music, arts, crafts and hospitality displays, with participants encouraged to use cultural exchange to strengthen the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and China.
