Nigeria has been handed a major trade lifeline as China officially announced zero-tariff treatment for all Nigerian exports, joining 53 African countries set to enjoy this privilege. The announcement was made in Abuja during the 2025 China–Nigeria Culture and Tourism Festival, a vibrant showcase of music, dance, cuisine, and fashion from both nations.
Chinese Deputy Ambassador, Zhou Hongyou, confirmed the move, describing it as a “new chapter” in Nigeria-China relations.
“President Xi Jinping has pledged that China will implement zero tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries, and this includes Nigeria,” Zhou declared. “This will open even wider doors for Nigerian products in the Chinese market.”
For Zhou, who was visiting Nigeria for the first time, the festival symbolised cultural diplomacy at its best. “China and Nigeria are both ancient civilisations. Though separated by distance, our people are drawing closer through culture and tourism. Together, we can build a high-quality community with a shared future,” he said.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy echoed the sentiment. Permanent Secretary, Dr Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, stressed that culture and trade must be seen as twin engines of growth.
“Culture and tourism are not just about identity and heritage; they drive economic expansion and job creation. With this zero-tariff policy, Nigeria’s creative industry, agriculture, and manufacturing stand to gain massively,” he said.
Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi, speaking on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Minister, described the cultural showcase as “a bridge of friendship” that underlines how cultural cooperation is cementing bilateral ties. “This gathering is proof of the strong and friendly relations between Nigeria and China—two giants in their regions and important players in global development,” he added.
The festival, co-hosted by the Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja and Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts and Culture, offered a colourful mix of exhibitions, traditional performances, and fashion, underlining the deepening ties between Africa’s biggest economy and Asia’s second-largest.
