Nigeria-China food festival highlights gastronomy’s tourism potential

The Federal Government has identified food and beverage as the largest sub-sector of Nigeria’s tourism economy, stressing the potential of gastronomy to drive domestic tourism, create jobs and promote the country’s global cultural identity.

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, stated this on Thursday at the Nigeria-China Food Festival held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.

Musawa, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, said the ministry’s recent tourism and creative industries mapping showed that food and beverage occupied the largest segment of the country’s tourism economy.

She said culinary experiences and food culture had become significant motivations for domestic travel, making gastronomy an important component of Nigeria’s tourism identity.

The minister said, “Importantly, gastronomy is tourism. The ministry’s recent tourism and creative industries mapping has identified food and beverage as the single largest sub-sector of Nigeria’s tourism economy, with culinary experiences and food culture serving as significant motivations for domestic travel.”

She added that the finding had reinforced the ministry’s commitment to promoting Nigerian cuisine as part of the country’s tourism identity and global cultural brand.

Food festivals, according to the minister, provide opportunities for chefs, food entrepreneurs, creatives, hospitality businesses and cultural practitioners to “exchange knowledge, reach new markets and tell Nigeria’s story through flavour.”

Musawa said cultural exchanges between Nigeria and China had demonstrated that relationships between nations could be strengthened through creativity, shared experiences and cultural engagement.

She urged both countries to explore greater cooperation in gastronomy, tourism, hospitality, culinary education and creative entrepreneurship.

“As Nigeria and China celebrate 55 years of friendship, let us use food to open new doors of cooperation in gastronomy, tourism, hospitality, cultural exchange, culinary education and creative entrepreneurship,” she said.

The Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, said food could serve as a bridge for cultural understanding between both countries.

Hongyou said China and Nigeria were ancient civilisations with rich culinary traditions, adding that bringing both cuisines together provided an opportunity for both countries to learn more about each other.

The event featured cultural performances, a photo exhibition on food traditions, a “bush bar” and an area showcasing the culture of grilled skewers.

On trade, Zhou said China imported about $2.3 billion worth of goods from Nigeria in the first half of 2026, representing an 80 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025.

He added that bilateral trade reached $18bn during the period, an increase of 35 per cent year-on-year.

Zhou also highlighted China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing, which took effect on May 1.

“We hope to reach an agreement on the “early harvest” arrangements for this policy as soon as possible, so that both our peoples can benefit more,” he said.

The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Aare Abisoye Fagade, said the festival was not just about food but culture, friendship and economic opportunities.