The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has pledged Nigeria’s partnership with China to create an environment conducive to the growth of arts and culture in the country.

Musawa made the announcement at a New Year gala night celebrating China-Nigeria friendship, hosted by the China Cultural Centre in Abuja on Saturday.

The event underscored the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and China, focusing on mutual interests in cultural collaboration and economic development.

Musawa reflected on the historical ties between China and Nigeria, which date back to 1971, and commended China’s remarkable strides in developing its creative industry.

She emphasised the immense value that the cultural and creative sectors hold for Nigeria, suggesting that collaboration with China would provide a nurturing environment for artists and cultural practitioners to thrive.

“When President Bola Tinubu took office, he sought to diversify Nigeria’s growth away from oil, petroleum, and gas.

“The creative industry plays a crucial role in achieving this vision,” she said.

Musawa also highlighted ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive roadmap for monetising Nigeria’s cultural heritage and creative industries.

She stressed the importance of sharing resources and expertise, noting that this collaboration could not only strengthen Nigeria’s local economy but also present its rich cultural heritage to a global audience.

Mr Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, also expressed China’s willingness to support the development of Nigeria’s creative economy, tourism, and vocational education.

“We will organise a series of vibrant exchange activities in the fields of culture, tourism, and education to strengthen the bond between China and Nigeria.

“Our actions will demonstrate our respect for the rights of the African and Nigerian people to pursue a better life,” he said.

Yang further announced that 2025 would mark the first year of the “Beijing Action Plan,” proposed at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The China Cultural Centre plans to host a range of activities in line with the plan, promoting culture, tourism, and education.

In addition, Mr Nsikan Paul, Executive Director of Drum Majors For Peace, emphasised their commitment to empowering creatives across Nigeria by providing training that helped them leverage their creativity for positive impact. (NAN)