Nigeria: Nigeria, China Deepen Ties in Film, Creative Economy

What the report says

Nigeria and China have agreed to deepen cooperation in film, broadcasting, digital media and the wider creative economy, according to Daily Trust, which reported the signing at the Nigeria-China Film and Interactive Symposium in Abuja on 10 August 2026. The agreement was concluded between China Movie Channel and Nigeria’s state broadcaster, the Nigerian Television Authority.

Officials said the deal is intended to support co-productions, programme exchange, professional training, technology transfer and broader international distribution of creative content from both countries. Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai framed the partnership as a way to increase cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people ties. He also pointed to the scale of both countries’ screen industries, noting China’s large annual film output and the prominence of Nollywood.

Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary for Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, said the collaboration fits into efforts to expand the role of creative industries in economic growth, jobs and national development. NTA Director-General Salihu Dembos described the arrangement as a new phase in Nigeria-China relations, saying it could help Nigerian filmmakers, broadcasters and young creatives reach wider audiences. In general, such agreements can be significant because they link state and private media institutions across markets, though the long-term impact will depend on implementation and follow-through.