Korean Cultural Centre Deepens Nigeria-South Korea Ties Through K-Heritage Festival in Abuja

By:Michael Mike

The Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria has intensified efforts to strengthen cultural diplomacy and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Korea through the expansion of its K-Heritage Festival, an initiative aimed at promoting traditional Korean arts, music and cultural education in Nigeria.

Organisers said the Abuja edition of the festival reflects growing cultural exchanges between both countries and a deliberate effort to expose Nigerians to Korea’s rich traditional heritage beyond the globally celebrated K-Pop culture.

Speaking during the event in Abuja at the weekend, the Event Manager at the Korean Cultural Centre, Yoonjin Lee, said the festival was created to showcase the depth of Korean traditional performances and cultural identity to Nigerian audiences increasingly fascinated by Korean entertainment.

According to her, although K-Pop has gained massive international popularity among young people, the K-Heritage Festival was designed to introduce Nigerians to the traditional roots of Korean culture through indigenous music, dance and live performances.

“K-Pop is more like the modern type, more attracted by young people. But the K-Heritage Festival is trying to also bring Korean traditional performances to Nigeria,” she said.

The festival, which debuted in Lagos in 2025, was extended to Abuja this year as part of efforts to widen participation and deepen cultural engagement across Nigeria.

This year’s edition featured performances by Korean traditional performance duo Sorichum, comprising Melissa Minseong Seo and Hyunjung Park, who entertained audiences with displays of traditional Korean music and dance.

Beyond the stage performances, the artistes also organised intensive two-day cultural workshops where Nigerian participants were introduced to Korean fan dance and the traditional Korean percussion instrument known as the Janggu.

Participants who took part in the workshops later performed during the festival alongside students of the Korean Cultural Centre and winners of previous K-Pop competitions.

Lee described the level of enthusiasm and commitment shown by Nigerian participants as remarkable.

“The students only learned for two days, but they performed perfectly. People are really enjoying it,” she said.

According to her, the response from participants and audiences demonstrates that Nigerian interest in Korean culture is evolving beyond contemporary pop entertainment into deeper appreciation for traditional Korean heritage.

She stressed that the K-Heritage Festival forms part of the centre’s broader cultural mission to present multiple dimensions of Korean identity, history and artistic traditions to Nigerians.

“We really want to show different stages of Korean culture. K-Pop is very big, but as a Korean Cultural Centre, we also want to bring traditions and opportunities for people to experience them,” she added.

The growing popularity of Korean cultural programmes in Nigeria mirrors a wider global expansion of the “Korean Wave,” popularly known as Hallyu — a phenomenon driven by the international success of Korean music, films, television dramas, fashion and cuisine.

Over the past decade, South Korea has increasingly deployed cultural diplomacy as a soft-power strategy to strengthen global influence and international partnerships, particularly among younger populations.

Nigeria has emerged as one of the leading African countries embracing Korean cultural exports, with rising participation in K-Pop contests, Korean language classes, film screenings and cultural festivals organised by the Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja and Lagos.

The Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, established to promote mutual cultural understanding, has continued to organise language education programmes, cultural exhibitions, culinary events and entertainment festivals aimed at fostering closer bilateral ties.

Lee disclosed that organisers are considering expanding traditional Korean cultural activities in Nigeria through additional workshops and festivals, especially in Lagos.

She revealed that plans are underway for another Janggu drum festival while traditional cultural classes are also expected to be strengthened ahead of the possible introduction of K-Heritage competitions in the future.

However, she noted that competitive events currently remain largely focused on K-Pop activities due to their strong youth appeal.

She further announced that another K-Pop Festival would hold later this year in Lagos as organisers continue rotating major cultural events between Lagos and Abuja to ensure broader national participation.

Observers say the growing acceptance of Korean cultural festivals in Nigeria reflects the increasing role of cultural exchanges in international relations, where arts, music and shared experiences are becoming powerful tools for strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation between nations.

Korean Cultural Centre Deepens Nigeria-South Korea Ties Through K-Heritage Festival in Abuja

Nigeria, China Seek Expanded Cooperation in Tourism, Heritage, Creative Industries

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and China have intensified efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in tourism, culture, and the creative economy, with both countries identifying the sectors as major drivers of economic growth, cultural diplomacy, and people-to-people relations.

This commitment was reaffirmed at the weekend during the 2026 China Tourism Day celebration hosted by the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCIN) in Abuja, where government officials, diplomats, tourism stakeholders, artists, and cultural enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the growing partnership between the two nations.

Speaking at the event, Yang Jianxing said tourism remains one of the most effective instruments for fostering mutual understanding and strengthening ties among nations.

He explained that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Enjoying Quality Tourism, Exploring Beautiful Landscapes,” reflects the increasing global importance of tourism as a platform for intercultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

According to him, both China and Nigeria possess rich historical civilizations, diverse cultural identities, and globally recognised tourism assets capable of deepening cooperation between their peoples.

Yang cited iconic destinations including the Great Wall of China and Mount Tai, alongside Nigeria’s Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Zuma Rock, describing them as enduring cultural symbols that continue to connect civilizations across continents.

He noted that several joint cultural initiatives organised over the years by both countries, including the Happy Chinese New Year programmes and China-Nigeria Cultural and Tourism Festivals, had expanded cultural exchanges through artistic performances, traditional exhibitions, and culinary experiences.

“These activities have not only strengthened friendship between our peoples but have also promoted the spirit of harmony, mutual respect, and cultural inclusiveness,” he said.

Yang further disclosed that China was prepared to deepen collaboration with Nigeria under the framework of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, with fresh opportunities expected in heritage preservation, tourism promotion, cultural innovation, and the creative industries.

He encouraged more Nigerians to explore educational and tourism opportunities in China while expressing optimism that more Chinese visitors would also discover Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, artistic diversity, and tourism potential.

Also addressing participants, Abdulkarim Ibrahim described the event as another milestone in the long-standing diplomatic and cultural relationship between Nigeria and China, which he said has continued to flourish for more than five decades.

Nigeria, China Seek Expanded Cooperation in Tourism, Heritage, Creative Industries

Zulum Lauds Peaceful Conduct of APC House of Reps Primaries in Borno

By: Michael Mike

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, has commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the All Progressives Congress primary election for the House of Representatives across the state.

Zulum gave the commendation on Saturday shortly after supervising the APC primary election for the Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri Federal Constituency held in Magumeri town.

Hundreds of party supporters from the three local government areas gathered at the venue to welcome the governor and APC officials overseeing the exercise.

Speaking with journalists after the primary, Zulum said the process was conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the constitution of the APC, which allows aspirants to adopt consensus arrangements.

“We are here to witness the primary election in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution, which allows for consensus arrangements among aspirants,” the governor stated.

He explained that although three aspirants initially indicated interest in contesting for the party’s House of Representatives ticket, two later withdrew in support of the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Usman Zannah.

“We have three contestants vying for the position of the House of Representatives, but fortunately, under the consensus arrangement as enshrined in the constitution of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), two of the aspirants stepped down for the incumbent member, Hon. Usman Zannah,” he said.

According to the governor, party members and stakeholders from the constituency affirmed their support for the consensus candidate during the exercise.

Zulum congratulated Hon. Zannah on his emergence and praised the aspirants who stepped down — Hon. Shettima Shehu and Alhaji Mohammed Sanda Ngamdu — describing their action as a demonstration of unity, sacrifice and political maturity.

“I want to extend my congratulations to the candidate and the others who stepped down for him,” he said. “I also want to express my appreciation to all APC supporters and the people of Borno State for ensuring a peaceful voting process.”

The governor stressed that the consensus arrangement adopted by the party was voluntary and not designed to deny any aspirant the opportunity to contest.

“Under the consensus arrangement, the government of Borno State and the party have never taken a decision to stop anybody from contesting,” he explained. “Consensus is a voluntary option, and anybody who does not wish to go for a consensus election has the right to participate in a direct primary.”

Chairman of the APC Primary Elections Committee for Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri Federal Constituency, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, also confirmed that party stakeholders agreed on consensus as the mode of primary election.

He commended Governor Zulum for creating an enabling environment for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the exercise.

Through a voice vote, APC members from the three local government areas unanimously affirmed Hon. Usman Zannah as the party’s consensus candidate for the House of Representatives seat.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and APC national headquarters monitored the exercise.

Governor Zulum was accompanied by the APC consensus gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, Secretary to the State Government Bukar Tijani, and Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe.

Zulum Lauds Peaceful Conduct of APC House of Reps Primaries in Borno