Nigeria and China have renewed their commitment to strengthening cultural and economic diplomacy through film and creative industries.
This pledge was emphasized at a symposium in Lagos themed “Promoting Cultural and Economic Diplomacy Through Film.” The event was organized by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), the Chinese Consulate General, and other stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of NIIA Director-General Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Research Professor Femi Otubanjo highlighted the historic role of culture and film in diplomacy, noting how Nollywood and Afrobeats are now reshaping global perceptions of Nigeria.
“Today, Nigerian music and Nollywood are taking over arenas worldwide, creating not only cultural influence but also significant economic activities,” he said.
Chinese Consul General in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, described film as a “universal language that transcends borders.” She praised Nollywood’s global impact and referenced China’s century-long film tradition and its $6 billion industry. Yuqing also recalled the success of the 2023 Chinese Film Festival in Lagos.
Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Shaibu Husseini, urged practical cooperation in production, training, and infrastructure. He proposed co-production treaties, technical exchanges, and collaborations in animation, soundstage development, and community cinemas.
“When Nigeria and China collaborate through film, they are not just telling stories. They are shaping global narratives and strengthening bilateral relations,” Husseini said.
Director of Studies at NIIA, Prof. Efem Ubi, added that culture and entertainment are powerful diplomatic tools that can reshape international perceptions of Nigeria. He called for more deliberate efforts to project positive narratives about the country.
The symposium, co-hosted with Trim Network and MESPA, also featured screenings of Nigerian films such as Ramona Yahya’s Tradition and Ijeoma Richard’s documentary Úru ígbă bòi, reinforcing film’s role as a bridge between nations.
About the author
Edo Queens clinch second NWFL Premiership title, secure continental ticket
Edo Queens have been crowned champions of the 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership following a determined 0-0 draw against Bayelsa Queens, securing their second domestic title and a ticket to continental competition. The Benin City-based team, also known as the Benin Arsenals Ladies or Benin Ladies, finished the NWFL Premiership season as champions with another silverware after the goalless draw that was enough to clinch the league title. The highly contested encounter could not produce any goal, but the point share secured the league title for Edo Queens and capped off an impressive campaign throughout the season. The triumph marks a second NWFL Premiership title for head coach Moses Aduku, who once again guided Edo Queens to domestic success with a disciplined and consistent performance. This follows their first-ever title won in 2023-24, when they emerged as champions […]
Real Madrid confirm €60m Cucurella signing from Chelsea
Real Madrid have finalized a deal worth up to £51.8 million to sign Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, with the transfer set to be completed after the conclusion of the World Cup. The arrangement includes a base fee of £47.5 million plus an additional £4.3 million in performance-related bonuses, establishing a permanent move agreed among all parties. Fabrizio Romano revealed that Cucurella has agreed to a six-year deal at the Bernabeu, with Real Madrid paying Chelsea €60 million (£52 million) for his services. The 27-year-old Spanish left-back is currently representing Spain in the World Cup tournament taking place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Cucurella, who transferred to Chelsea for £63 million from Brighton in 2022, has expressed a strong desire to return to Spain, having developed through Barcelona's youth system. The move comes as a blow to incoming Chelsea […]
Egypt, Cape Verde face stiff tests in World Cup openers
Egypt and Cape Verde are set for challenging World Cup opener matches, with both African nations preparing to face tough opponents in the 2026 tournament in North America. Egypt, the seven-time African champions, is looking to add to their World Cup legacy after qualifying for the finals as the third African nation to secure a spot. Led by superstar Mohamed Salah, who scored twice in Egypt's decisive 3-0 victory against Djibouti to clinch their spot at the World Cup, the team boasts an impressive unbeaten campaign with 23 points. Having participated in three previous World Cups, Egypt now aims to overcome their historic challenge of not winning a game in the World Cup tournament. Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring in Egypt's qualification match, then Mohamed Salah netted two goals after Adel initiated the scoring, allowing Egypt to triumph over the […]
Bullets before ballots: insecurity threatens 2027 polls; 5,272 killed in 5 months
Seven months to the 2027 general elections, worsening insecurity across Nigeria is casting a shadow over preparations for what should be a watershed democratic exercise, with a staggering 5,272 people killed in just five months amid a resurgence of terrorist attacks and banditry. Before the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections, rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria has become a major source of national concern, undermining public confidence in the electoral process. The country's security situation has continued to deteriorate with increasing attacks on civilians, schools, and military formations, raising serious questions about whether the elections will hold as scheduled. Data from the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 showed that Nigeria recorded 171 terror attacks in 2025, representing a 43 per cent increase from the 120 attacks recorded in 2024. Terror-related deaths also rose from 513 in 2024 […]
Israel says it won’t withdraw troops from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israeli troops will remain indefinitely in "security zones" in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria, marking a major policy shift in the country's military approach to border security. Katz emphasized that unlike previous instances, the Israeli military is not retreating from areas that have been cleared and taken, stating that troops will remain in the security zones acting as a buffer between adversaries and Israeli communities "regardless of whether the situation in Gaza is temporary or permanent" – similar to the approach in Lebanon and Syria. The defense minister's announcement comes after Israel unilaterally expanded its frontiers in the war unleashed by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack, and the military strengthens its control over various occupied regions. Israel says it must maintain control of what it refers to as security zones to […]
US-Iran set to sign peace deal Friday
A major breakthrough in Middle East diplomacy has been achieved as the United States and Iran have reached a peace deal, with the formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday, June 19, in Switzerland. The agreement, which came after over 100 days of conflict that ignited a worldwide energy crisis and cast a shadow over the global economic landscape, is expected to mark the end of months of military tensions and pave the way for reopening the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the peace deal will be officially signed in Switzerland on Friday, June 19, with both sides working toward electronic signing preparations. US and Iranian officials confirmed on Sunday that they have agreed on a framework to end months of war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and lift the US blockade on Iran. […]
Related
Norway Crown Princess’s Son Jailed for Rape
Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted on two counts of rape and several other criminal offences by the Oslo District Court. The 29-year-old was cleared of two additional rape charges but found guilty of multiple offences involving violence, abuse and reckless conduct. Høiby attended the verdict hearing via video link due to health-related reasons and was not physically present in the courtroom. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defense argued for a significantly shorter term of 18 months. His legal team has indicated that an appeal is likely. The case has attracted widespread attention in Norway because of Høiby's close connection to the royal family. Although he holds no royal title, he was raised alongside members of […]
Russian Strikes Damage Kyiv Cathedral, Kill 11
At least 11 people have lost their lives following a series of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including attacks that caused significant damage to Kyiv's historic Dormition Cathedral, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Four fatalities were reported in Kyiv after residential areas came under attack, while five emergency responders were killed in the northeastern city of Kharkiv while battling a blaze triggered by a strike. Ukrainian authorities said dozens of others were injured nationwide. The Dormition Cathedral, a landmark dating back to the 11th century and part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, suffered extensive damage during the overnight assault. Zelensky described the attack as a serious blow to Ukraine's religious and cultural heritage. Images from the site showed a large breach in one section of the cathedral, with parts of the roof destroyed by fire. The […]
US-Iran Deal May Ease Global Economic Pressure
More than three months after the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran began, Washington and Tehran have reached a framework agreement aimed at reducing tensions and laying the groundwork for a longer-term resolution. A key component of the agreement is the planned reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. The waterway normally handles nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it critical to international energy markets. The disruption of traffic through the strait since late February triggered sharp increases in global energy prices and raised concerns about supply shortages. While the new agreement has been welcomed by markets, shipping activity in the region remains limited, highlighting the challenges involved in restoring normal operations. Industry experts caution that a full recovery will take time. Hundreds of vessels […]
Bullets before ballots: insecurity threatens 2027 polls; 5,272 killed in 5 months
Seven months to the 2027 general elections, worsening insecurity across Nigeria is casting a shadow over preparations for what should be a watershed democratic exercise, with a staggering 5,272 people killed in just five months amid a resurgence of terrorist attacks and banditry. Before the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections, rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria has become a major source of national concern, undermining public confidence in the electoral process. The country's security situation has continued to deteriorate with increasing attacks on civilians, schools, and military formations, raising serious questions about whether the elections will hold as scheduled. Data from the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 showed that Nigeria recorded 171 terror attacks in 2025, representing a 43 per cent increase from the 120 attacks recorded in 2024. Terror-related deaths also rose from 513 in 2024 […]
Israel says it won’t withdraw troops from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israeli troops will remain indefinitely in "security zones" in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria, marking a major policy shift in the country's military approach to border security. Katz emphasized that unlike previous instances, the Israeli military is not retreating from areas that have been cleared and taken, stating that troops will remain in the security zones acting as a buffer between adversaries and Israeli communities "regardless of whether the situation in Gaza is temporary or permanent" – similar to the approach in Lebanon and Syria. The defense minister's announcement comes after Israel unilaterally expanded its frontiers in the war unleashed by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack, and the military strengthens its control over various occupied regions. Israel says it must maintain control of what it refers to as security zones to […]
US-Iran set to sign peace deal Friday
A major breakthrough in Middle East diplomacy has been achieved as the United States and Iran have reached a peace deal, with the formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday, June 19, in Switzerland. The agreement, which came after over 100 days of conflict that ignited a worldwide energy crisis and cast a shadow over the global economic landscape, is expected to mark the end of months of military tensions and pave the way for reopening the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the peace deal will be officially signed in Switzerland on Friday, June 19, with both sides working toward electronic signing preparations. US and Iranian officials confirmed on Sunday that they have agreed on a framework to end months of war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and lift the US blockade on Iran. […]