The Head of Office and Representative of the UNESCO Office Abuja, Dr. Jean-Paul Ngome Abiaga, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to deepening cultural cooperation and advancing gender equality in partnership with China and Nigeria.

He gave the assurance at the Lantern Festival celebration hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, marking the conclusion of the Lunar New Year festivities. He highlighted the growing collaboration between the two nations.

Addressing the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, diplomats, senior Nigerian government officials, and distinguished guests, Dr. Abiaga described the event as “more than a festive gathering,” calling it a testament to the power of culture and education in building bridges between Nigeria and China.

With International Women’s Day approaching, Dr. Abiaga placed strong emphasis on women’s leadership and development. He noted that UNESCO’s two global priorities are Africa and Gender Equality.

He commended China’s strides in advancing women’s participation in higher education and leadership, particularly, in science and technology, describing such progress as essential to national vitality and innovation.

 Abiaga praised the Federal Government's 'Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up' for expanding economic opportunities for women across communities.

He also applauded Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, highlighting her “Flow with Confidence” initiative, which supports girls’ dignity and access to education.

Dr. Abiaga stressed that collaboration between UNESCO and China in Nigeria holds significant potential, particularly in expanding access to education, advancing science and technology, and investing in human capital.

He noted that China’s experience in scaling education and innovation, combined with UNESCO’s mandate in education, culture, science and communication, creates opportunities for impactful partnerships within Nigeria.