Nigeria and China have expanded their cultural engagement through cuisine, as both countries used the 2026 Nigeria-China Food Festival to showcase their culinary heritage, promote tourism and create opportunities for hospitality and food entrepreneurs.
The festival, held today at the China Cultural Centre, Abuja, formed part of activities marking 55 years of formal diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China.
With the theme: “Bridging Cultures Through Cuisine,” the event brought together government officials, diplomats, chefs, hospitality professionals, food entrepreneurs, creatives and cultural practitioners, who explored the similarities and differences between Nigerian and Chinese food traditions.
Representing the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, said food remained one of the most effective ways of telling the story of a people.
The minister said, “Food does not merely nourish the body. It tells stories, preserves heritage, creates livelihoods and brings people together.”
She noted that Nigeria and China established formal diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971, adding that their relationship had grown beyond diplomacy to include trade, infrastructure, education, technology, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
According to her, Nigeria’s tourism and creative industry mapping identified food and beverages as the largest sub-sector of the country’s tourism economy.
She said this made gastronomy an important part of Nigeria’s tourism identity and efforts to build a stronger global cultural brand.
Musawa added that the festival would enable chefs, food entrepreneurs, hospitality businesses and cultural practitioners to exchange expertise, develop partnerships, access new markets and promote Nigerian culture through cuisine.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, described food as a bridge for cultural understanding between the two countries.
He noted that Nigeria and China were ancient civilisations with rich and distinctive culinary traditions, adding that bringing both cuisines together provided an opportunity for Nigerians and Chinese to learn more about one another.
For the director-general of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Abisoye Fagade, the festival represented more than a celebration of food, describing it as an intersection of culture, friendship and economic opportunity.
In his goodwill message, Fagade said this year’s theme : “From Farm to Feast,” captured the journey from the farmer to the chef, producer to consumer, and cultural heritage to economic opportunity.
“Every plate tells a story,” he said.
He explained that NIHOTOUR’s mandate extended beyond training personnel for hotels, restaurants and other hospitality establishments, noting that the institute was developing the skilled workforce required for Nigeria to compete as a leading tourism and hospitality destination.
Fagade said food was central to that ambition, pointing to Nigeria’s diverse culinary heritage, including jollof rice, pounded yam, indigenous soups, spices, grains, seafood and other delicacies.
He said these provided a strong foundation for developing a globally recognised food-tourism industry.
“Our task is to package, standardise, promote and commercialise this heritage while preserving its authenticity,” Fagade said.
A major attraction of the festival was the opportunity for participants and guests to taste and experience cuisines from both countries.
Guests were served 14 Chinese dishes representing the country’s major culinary regions, allowing Nigerian participants to experience different flavours, ingredients and cooking traditions.
The Chinese delegation and other participants, in turn, had the opportunity to savour Nigerian delicacies drawn from the country’s six geopolitical zones, showcasing the diversity of Nigeria’s food culture.
Beyond the dining experience, the festival featured cultural performances, a photo exhibition documenting food traditions, a “bush bar” and a special area dedicated to the culture of grilled skewers.
The combination of food, music, arts, crafts and hospitality transformed the festival into a cultural exchange, allowing participants to experience both countries beyond their conventional diplomatic engagements.
Fagade said the true success of the festival should be measured by the partnerships it generated, businesses it supported, skills it transferred, visitors it attracted and friendships it strengthened.
He also commended the China Cultural Centre and the Chinese Embassy for partnering with NIHOTOUR, as well as the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy for supporting initiatives that position culture and tourism as instruments of national development.
As Nigeria and China celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations, the festival demonstrated how the dining table can become a meeting point for culture, diplomacy, tourism and enterprise, with both nations finding common ground in their shared love of food, hospitality, family and community.
