China and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural ties and advancing women’s empowerment.
The pledge was made at the 2026 Lantern Festival, and the China-Nigeria Women’s Carnival held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event was organised by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria as part of activities marking the Lantern Festival (the grand finale of the Chinese Lunar New Year) and in anticipation of International Women’s Day, which comes up on March 8.
In his remarks, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Yang Jianxing, described the Lantern Festival as a symbol of reunion, peace and hope, traditionally marked by lighting lanterns and sharing glutinous rice balls (tangyuan) with family.
He noted that the Chinese New Year was inscribed in 2024 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its growing global significance.
Yang said the celebration in Abuja reflected not only shared joy but also the deepening friendship between Nigeria and China, particularly as 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries and the “China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.”
He highlighted China’s progress in advancing women’s development, referencing the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing in 2025, attended by President Xi Jinping. According to him, China has made sustained efforts to promote gender equality, including expanding women’s participation in education, entrepreneurship and the workforce.
“Without the development of women themselves and their outstanding contributions, China’s tremendous development would not have been possible,” he stated.
He described women as a vital bridge in China-Nigeria relations, noting that more Chinese women are contributing to local communities in Nigeria, while Nigerian women are playing increasing roles in cooperation projects.
Yang said China is ready to work with Nigeria to implement outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, expand cultural platforms and enhance collaboration in areas such as gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mukhtar Yanale Muhammad, described the event as “a beautiful fusion of two great cultures.”
He commended the Chinese Embassy and cultural institutions for building what he called “a bridge that connects our nations,” adding that the Lantern Festival’s symbolism of light and hope resonates strongly with the role women play in national development.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that cultural cooperation between Nigeria and China (through exhibitions, festivals and exchange programmes) has opened new economic opportunities, particularly for women in the creative and tourism sectors.
He pledged that the Federal Government would intensify policies aimed at accelerating cultural exchanges, empowering women in the digital economy and expanding Nigeria’s tourism frontiers.
“Our mission is clear: to reposition Nigerian women on the global stage, ensuring their visibility, voice and vital engagement in shaping our shared future,” he said.
Also speaking, Jean-Paul Ngome Abiaga, Head of the UNESCO Office in Abuja, described the carnival as a living testament to the power of culture and education to build bridges between nations.
He noted that UNESCO’s two global priorities, Africa and Gender Equality, were embodied in the celebration.
“As we approach International Women’s Day, we gather not only to honour tradition, but to celebrate the strength, leadership and achievements of Chinese and Nigerian women,” he said.
Ngome Abiaga commended Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to expand opportunities for women, including the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up initiative. He also applauded the leadership of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her “Flow with Confidence” initiative, which supports girls’ education.
The UNESCO chief expresses desire for deeper collaboration between UNESCO and China in Nigeria, particularly in education, science, culture and innovation.
The event featured a high-level China-Nigeria concert, musical performances and cultural exhibitions.
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