China has expressed its willingness to strengthen media cooperation with Nigeria through professional exchanges, technology partnerships and joint content production.
Liu Linhai, Vice President of the Research and Training Institute (RTI) of China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), disclosed this on Wednesday in Beijing during the closing ceremony of a two-week training programme for Nigerian media professionals.
The programme brought together about 28 Nigerian journalists for training on broadcasting convergence and communication capacity development at the RTI, NRTA Shunyi Campus.
Linhai said the seminar created an opportunity for media practitioners from both countries to exchange professional experiences and examine developments shaping journalism and broadcasting.
He noted that the Nigerian participants were introduced to aspects of China’s media industry, including approaches to storytelling on modernisation and poverty reduction.
The Chinese official also acknowledged the contribution of Zhou Kongyu, a representative of the Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria, to the success of the programme.
According to Linhai, the participants showed considerable interest in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and its growing application in journalism.
He said technological innovation could assist media organisations in overcoming digital barriers, improving production processes and expanding their reach.
Linhai expressed the expectation that the professional relationships developed during the training would result in broader cooperation between Nigerian and Chinese media organisations.
Potential areas, he said, include joint journalism initiatives, the exchange of audiovisual resources and collaborative production of short documentaries and micro-dramas.
He added that stronger media partnerships could promote greater understanding and people-to-people connections between Nigeria and China.
Nigerian Delegation Appreciates China
Responding on behalf of the Nigerian delegation, Dr Qasim Akinreti thanked the Chinese government and the NRTA for providing the opportunity for Nigerian media professionals to participate in the programme.
Akinreti described the 15-day training as a valuable experience combining classroom learning, professional interaction and exposure to China’s media and technological systems.
He also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for approving the participation of professionals drawn from several government-owned media organisations.
Participants were nominated from organisations including the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), among others.
Akinreti said the programme enabled the Nigerian participants to learn from Chinese media institutions while also exchanging perspectives on the Nigerian media environment.
He commended the organisers for their hospitality and said the professional and cultural experiences gained would be useful in strengthening media practice and cooperation between the two countries.
The training included lectures, institutional visits, professional discussions and practical exchanges covering broadcasting convergence, artificial intelligence, digital communication, emerging technologies and contemporary journalism.
Participants also examined how new media tools could be deployed to improve storytelling and ensure development-related content reaches broader audiences.
The closing ceremony was attended by officials of the NRTA, representatives of Chinese media and training institutions, Nigerian delegates and other participants.
The programme forms part of continuing efforts to build professional capacity and deepen cooperation between media practitioners in Nigeria and China.
