Africa China News (ACN) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have explored stronger media cooperation aimed at promoting broader and more balanced coverage of Nigeria, Africa and China.
The discussions took place during a visit by High Chief Mike Yousuf Ugwu (Zheng Xiaopeng), Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of Africa China News and National Chairman Africa China Chairmen of Business Council Forum (ACCBCF), to the NUJ National Secretariat in Jahi, Abuja, where he met with the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi.
The meeting focused on strengthening media cooperation, promoting journalist exchanges and developing a long-term framework for professional collaboration between Nigerian, African and Chinese media organisations.
Media as a Bridge
High Chief Mike Ugwu said the media had an important role to play in strengthening mutual understanding between Africa and China, adding that ACN was established to promote information exchange, cultural understanding and closer people-to-people relations.
“Africa, like China, has a long history. African countries are home to ancient peoples, rich cultures and unique cultural traditions,” he said.
“Africa China News was born in Nigeria and has grown on African soil. We hope to go beyond geographical, linguistic and cultural boundaries and use journalism to connect African and Chinese people more directly.”
High Chief Mike Ugwu said ACN was ready to deepen cooperation with Nigerian media organisations to tell more stories about Nigeria-China relations and amplify African and Chinese perspectives on peace, development and cooperation.
He said ACN’s coverage focuses on areas including tourism and culture, investment and trade, African policies and regulations, as well as Africa-China relations and friendship.
Ugwu also briefed the NUJ leadership on the Africa China Chairmen of Business Council Forum (ACCBCF), describing it as a platform connecting governments, businesses, investors and other stakeholders across Africa and China to promote investment, industrial cooperation, project development and trade.
NUJ Expresses Readiness for Cooperation
Responding, Abdullahi welcomed the ACN delegation and noted that 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China.
He said the media remained important in strengthening mutual understanding and supporting the development of bilateral relations.
Abdullahi said the NUJ had maintained longstanding engagement with Chinese media organisations and expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation with ACN and other Chinese media institutions in journalism, professional exchange, training and capacity development.
“We need to see how ACN and the Nigerian media can collaborate to take our nations to greater heights,” he said.
“This engagement will go a long way in forming a robust partnership.”
Five Areas of Cooperation
During the meeting, the two sides explored five areas for future cooperation.
First, they discussed a strategic partnership between ACCBCF and NUJ, including a regular engagement mechanism to strengthen communication between the business and media communities.
Second, ACN and NUJ explored a media cooperation framework covering news content, reporting resources and professional exchanges, with a view to giving Nigerian development stories greater visibility in China and the wider international media space.
Third, the parties discussed the proposed establishment of a Nigeria-China Media Dialogue or Forum, involving ACCBCF, ACN and NUJ. The platform would bring together media leaders, government representatives, business executives and other stakeholders from Nigeria and China.
Fourth, they explored stronger media participation in ACCBCF business forums, investment summits and Nigeria-China economic cooperation events, including greater engagement by Nigerian journalists and major media organisations.
Fifth, the parties discussed Nigeria-China journalist and media exchange programmes, including study visits, professional training, interviews, special reporting projects and reciprocal exchanges between Nigerian and Chinese media professionals.
Towards Institutional Cooperation
The meeting also explored the possibility of developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving ACN, ACCBCF and NUJ to provide a structured framework for long-term cooperation.
The proposed framework could cover journalist exchanges, joint reporting, professional training, media dialogues and other collaborative programmes.
Both sides expressed their commitment to strengthening professional and responsible journalism as a means of promoting better understanding between Nigeria, Africa and China.
They said deeper media engagement could help present a more comprehensive picture of Nigeria and Africa to international audiences while strengthening people-to-people ties and supporting broader Nigeria-China and Africa-China cooperation.
