Nigeria: China, Nigeria leverage sports to strengthen relations.

Nigeria - June 02, 2026 China and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through sports development, cultural exchange, and people-to-people engagement. The commitment was made in Abuja during The Passion of Chinese Wushu (Martial Arts): Cultural Heritage Chinese Wushu Premium Exhibition, organised by the Chinese Embassy and its Cultural Centre in Nigeria. Mr Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, said that sports and culture are powerful tools for fostering mutual understanding and friendship among nations. Yang, who is also Director of the China Cultural Centre, added that Chinese Wushu is more than a sport, noting that it represents China’s cultural heritage, values, and philosophy. “Cultural exchange serves as an important bridge for mutual learning among civilisations and for bringing people closer together. “As an important symbol of China’s outstanding traditional culture, Wushu is not merely a sport; it is a cultural language and a spiritual heritage. “It embodies the Chinese nation’s enduring spirit of self-improvement and reflects values such as respect, virtue, harmony, and peaceful coexistence,” he said. According to him, the essence of Wushu is not conflict but the promotion of peace, moral cultivation, and personal development. “The true spirit of martial arts lies not only in physical skills, but also in moral cultivation and personal growth. “Whether it is the balance and elegance of Tai Chi or the vitality of traditional boxing styles, Chinese Wushu reflects the philosophical wisdom of harmony between humanity and nature,” he said. Yang said the exhibition, featuring lectures, demonstrations, and interactive sessions by a delegation from the Beijing Sport University led by Prof. Wu Dong offered Nigerians an opportunity to gain deeper insight into Chinese culture. He added that the Chinese Embassy and China Cultural Centre would continue to promote cooperation in language education, arts, tourism, youth exchanges, and sports collaboration. Also speaking, Malam Shehu Dikko Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), represented by Mr Musa Ahmadu, Special Adviser on Legal Strategy and Administration, said that sports diplomacy is an effective platform for strengthening bilateral relations. According to him, sports transcend borders and create opportunities for deeper understanding among nations. “Sports speak a universal language. “It crosses borders, bridges differences, and brings people together in a way that formal diplomacy sometimes cannot. “Through sports, young people learn discipline, nations build friendship, and cultures are understood and respected,” he said. Ahmadu said the exhibition had provided Nigerians with an opportunity to experience an important aspect of Chinese culture while creating room for future cooperation in sports, education, and cultural exchanges. He commended the Chinese government for supporting Nigeria through capacity-building programmes and called for expanded collaboration in sports administration, coaching development, sports science, infrastructure management, and traditional sports. “China has vast experience, strong institutions, advanced sports systems, and a rich cultural heritage. “There is therefore a natural opportunity for both countries to work together in developing these areas and building stronger partnerships,” he said. He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen engagement with Chinese institutions to promote sports development and strengthen people-to-people ties. NAN reports that the exhibition featured Wushu demonstrations, cultural presentations, and interactive sessions by martial arts experts from Beijing Sport University, showcasing the history, philosophy, and artistic heritage of Chinese martial arts.