The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria on Saturday hosted a Temple Fair in Abuja to celebrate the 2026 Chinese Lunar New Year and commemorate 55 years of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria.
The event, held at the China Cultural Centre, brought together diplomats, government officials, members of the Chinese community and Nigerian guests for a day-long celebration featuring cultural exhibitions, martial arts demonstrations, music, traditional art, games and a wide variety of Chinese cuisine. The festivities were organised in honour of the ‘Year of the Horse’.
In his remarks, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, described the Spring Festival as the most significant cultural celebration in China, symbolising reunion, continuity and shared heritage for hundreds of millions of families around the world.
He noted that the 2026 Spring Festival, scheduled to be celebrated globally on February 17, has gained added international recognition following its inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in late 2024. According to him, the recognition underscores the festival’s universal values of peace, harmony and cultural exchange.
Zhou explained that the Temple Fair was conceived not only as a cultural celebration but also as a bridge for fostering closer understanding between Chinese and Nigerian communities through shared experiences in food, art, sports and tradition.
Reflecting on bilateral ties, he recalled that diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria were formally established on February 10, 1971, a relationship that has since evolved into broad-based cooperation across multiple sectors.
“Over the past 55 years, regardless of changes in the international landscape, both sides have always upheld mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation. From political mutual trust and economic cooperation to people-to-people exchanges, China–Nigeria relations have grown ever stronger and more fruitful,” he said.
He described the relationship as a strong example of South–South cooperation, noting steady growth in bilateral trade and sustained collaboration on major infrastructure projects. He added that both countries are currently in discussions on zero-tariff measures aimed at supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda.
Zhou also spoke on the significance of 2026 as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, describing it as an opportunity to deepen cultural ties, share governance experiences and strengthen human connections beyond official diplomacy.
Drawing from Chinese tradition, he explained that the Year of the Horse symbolises diligence, perseverance, unity and innovation. He noted that the horse also appears on Nigeria’s Coat of Arms, representing strength and progress, qualities he said mirror the enduring partnership between the two nations.
Also speaking, Director-General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe, said the symbolism of the Year of the Horse resonates strongly with both countries, reflecting shared values of resilience, courage and forward movement. He said both nations remain committed to advancing cooperation and shared prosperity, driven by a spirit of determination and mutual respect.
Tegbe reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China Principle, describing it as the foundation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has developed over more than five decades and continues to deliver tangible benefits to citizens of both countries.
Tegbe said the celebration was as much about the future as it was about past achievements, particularly following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Beijing in September 2024 and the subsequent elevation of bilateral ties at the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Highlighting ongoing collaboration, he cited China’s role in Nigeria’s infrastructure development, pointing to landmark projects such as rail modernisation efforts and the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which are transforming the country’s economic landscape.
He also spoke on progress under Nigeria’s National Integrated Poultry Project, inspired by China’s achievements in food security. The initiative, with an estimated initial investment of $1 billion, is set to commence in Kaduna, Oyo and Enugu states before expanding nationwide.
“When completed, the project is expected to produce six million eggs daily, house over seven million laying birds and two million broilers, and cultivate more than 60,000 hectares of maize and soybeans, while supporting local farmers with subsidised feedstock,” he said.
Tegbe said the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex is another key area of cooperation, with a projected annual output of 10 million metric tonnes, positioning Nigeria as a major industrial and manufacturing hub in Africa.
He further stressed the importance of educational and knowledge partnerships, noting that expanded scholarships, joint research initiatives and innovation-driven industrial parks would help strengthen people-to-people ties between Nigeria and China. According to him, sustainable cooperation must ultimately translate into meaningful benefits for ordinary citizens in both countries.
The event featured a vibrant showcase of cultural performances, musical acts, games and traditional Chinese delicacies.
