The Federal Government has said Nigeria’s strategic partnership with China is expanding beyond conventional trade relations to deeper cooperation in science, technology, sustainable agriculture and innovation.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, stated this in Abuja at the opening of the 2026 Seasonal Life & Harmonious China Cultural Exhibition held at the China Cultural Centre.
The exhibition, organised as part of the China-Nigeria people-to-people and cultural exchange series, brought together government officials, diplomats and cultural stakeholders to showcase Chinese traditions while exploring opportunities for stronger bilateral cooperation.
Muhammad said the theme of the exhibition reflected not only Chinese philosophy but also the evolving relationship between Nigeria and China.
He said the partnership was increasingly generating opportunities in agricultural transformation, scientific innovation and technology transfer.
“Just as the seasons of the year bring renewal and harvest, the partnership between Nigeria and China is entering a season of unprecedented opportunity,” he said.
According to him, the relationship is already producing tangible opportunities beyond trade, particularly in agriculture, technology and scientific development.
Muhammad, who congratulated the Communist Party of China on its 105th anniversary, said China’s achievements in socio-economic development, scientific and technological innovation, poverty reduction and infrastructure development offered useful lessons for developing countries.
He disclosed that a recent technical visit by Nigerian officials to China’s Yangling High-tech Agricultural Demonstration Zone and Shaanxi Province had strengthened Nigeria’s interest in adopting Chinese agricultural technologies.
The delegation, he said, witnessed advanced water-saving irrigation and soil-monitoring technologies capable of supporting agricultural production in arid areas while reducing water wastage.
“In Yangling, often referred to as China’s ‘Agricultural Silicon Valley’, we witnessed the seamless integration of modern technology with traditional farming,” Muhammad said.
He added that China’s experience in addressing land degradation and boosting agricultural productivity in the Loess Plateau could provide valuable lessons for Northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.
The permanent secretary also identified China’s zero-tariff policy for products from 53 African countries as an opportunity for Nigeria to increase agricultural exports to the Chinese market.
He listed sesame, ginger, cashew nuts and cocoa among commodities that could benefit from improved market access, saying this could raise farmers’ incomes and strengthen the rural economy.
“With this zero-tariff access, these products can now compete effectively in China, offering a substantial boost to our rural economy and farmers’ incomes,” he said.
However, Muhammad noted that greater access to the Chinese market would require Nigeria to improve the quality, packaging and supply chains of its agricultural products.
He said the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology would pursue stronger collaboration with Chinese research institutions in post-harvest management, agro-processing and scientific training.
“We intend to partner with Chinese research institutes to develop affordable, solar-powered cold storage facilities for perishable goods,” he said.
He added that Nigeria would also seek technology transfer to process cassava, shea butter and cashew nuts into value-added products for the Chinese and global markets.
Muhammad further disclosed plans to expand scholarship and STEM training opportunities for Nigerian scientists in Chinese universities, particularly in sustainable agriculture and water management.
Earlier, the Chinese Cultural Centre Councillor, Yang Jianxing, described the exhibition as an important platform for strengthening mutual understanding between Nigeria and China through cultural exchange.
Yang noted that 2026 marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges as well as the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China.
“Cultural exchange is a vital component of China-Africa friendly cooperation and serves as an important bridge for fostering mutual understanding and affinity between our peoples, as well as for promoting dialogue and mutual learning among civilisations,” he said.
He explained that the exhibition was centred on the Chinese concept of “seasonal life”, featuring displays on the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, traditional food tasting, intangible cultural heritage crafts and interactive cultural experiences.
Yang said the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, reflected the Chinese philosophy of living in harmony with nature and respecting natural resources.
He said the philosophy also resonated with Nigerian cultural values, particularly the country’s respect for nature, tradition, family and community.
“This philosophy resonates deeply with the Nigerian spirit—which cherishes nature, respects tradition, and values family and community—forming a vital foundation for the exchange, mutual learning, and appreciation between Chinese and Nigerian civilisations,” Yang said.
He said the Chinese Embassy and China Cultural Centre would continue to organise cultural exhibitions, artistic performances, language classes, youth exchanges and tourism promotion programmes to deepen people-to-people relations between both countries.
According to him, the initiatives would also contribute to implementing the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit and the consensus reached by the leaders of Nigeria and China.
The exhibition featured displays and interactive activities aimed at giving Nigerian visitors first-hand experience of traditional Chinese culture.
The event also highlighted the growing effort to link cultural diplomacy with practical cooperation in science, technology, agriculture and innovation as Nigeria and China seek to deepen their longstanding bilateral relationship.
