It was both an honour and a privilege to participate with global media leaders at the important international gathering, the 4th China Media Group (CMG) Forum, held in the culturally rich and spiritually significant city of Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, on 25th April, 2025.
The event, themed “Exchange, Mutual Learning, Technology Empowerment – The Power of Civilization in Transformation and Development,” gathered over 400 participants from 60 countries and various international organisations. It focused on the role of digital innovations in strengthening international communication and deepening exchanges and mutual learning among civilisations.
Qufu is more than just a city; it is a symbol of harmony, wisdom, and the enduring power of philosophy. With its ancient palaces, sacred temples, and revered sites—such as the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion, collectively known as San Kong—Qufu reminds us that civilizations thrive when rooted in shared knowledge, moral responsibility, and mutual respect. These timeless values continue to inspire global media and cultural dialogue today.
VOICE OF NIGERIA: A GATEWAY BETWEEN NATIONS
As the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), I represent an institution built on the ideals of connection and communication.
Established by law, Voice of Nigeria is Nigeria’s official international broadcasting service, tasked with projecting the voice, values, culture, and perspectives of Nigeria and Africa to the world. Our vision is to become the leading international radio broadcasting service for anyone interested in Nigeria and Africa, reflecting Nigerian and African perspectives.
Since my assumption of office on October 23, 2023, I have focused my leadership on three strategic pillars: People, Platform, and Partnerships—collectively known as the 3Ps.
From our headquarters in Abuja, we reach audiences across Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East, providing credible news, cultural programming, development-focused stories, and people-driven narratives that foster understanding and inspire shared solutions.
Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, there is a renewed national commitment to reposition Voice of Nigeria to meet and even surpass global broadcasting standards. This includes the comprehensive upgrading of our transmission infrastructure, the adoption of digital broadcasting technologies, and the establishment of strategic content partnerships that reflect Nigeria’s global outlook.
This commitment is further championed by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, FNIPR, whose strong emphasis on global competitiveness, innovation, and professionalism in public broadcasting continues to energize and guide our institutional reforms. Together, these efforts signal a new era for Voice of Nigeria—one rooted in technological advancement, content excellence, and international collaboration.
We currently broadcast in eight languages: English, French, Arabic, Swahili, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Fulfulde. I am pleased to announce that we are now working with China Media Group to introduce Mandarin Chinese as an additional language in our international broadcast portfolio. This is not just symbolic—it is strategic. It reflects our belief that language is key to mutual understanding and that Africa–China relations must be anchored in respectful communication and cultural exchange.
WHY VOICE OF NIGERIA MATTERS TO THE GLOBAL MEDIA ECOSYSTEM
At Voice of Nigeria, we do not just report the news—we curate and contextualize the African experience for a global audience.
In an era where narratives shape policy, diplomacy, and perception, our role is to ensure that Africa is seen, heard, and understood—on its own terms.
This is why our partnership with China Media Group is both timely and necessary. Together, we can:
- Co-create content that reflects African and Asian development stories beyond stereotypes.
- Facilitate journalist exchanges and media training to build capacity on both sides.
- Launch collaborative broadcast projects on themes such as climate action, youth innovation, education, health, heritage preservation, and national and global security.
- Most importantly, strengthen the Global South’s voice in international discourse.
TECHNOLOGY AS A BRIDGE, NOT A BARRIER
As the theme of this year’s forum suggests, technology is not merely a tool—it is a catalyst. At Voice of Nigeria, we are investing in digital transformation, AI-assisted newsrooms, and online radio platforms to extend our reach and engage a more connected, youthful global audience.
Yet we remain mindful: technology must empower people, not marginalize them. It must deepen cultural ties, not dilute identity. We believe that media authorities like CMG and VON can lead the way in using innovation to humanize our stories.
A CALL FOR DEEPER COLLABORATION
As we gathered in Qufu, under the guiding spirit of Confucius—who taught that “wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities”—we reaffirmed our commitment to building a future where civilizations learn from one another, not compete against one another.
China Media Group and Voice of Nigeria stand as a model of this cooperation, where culture, communication, and technology unite for the good of all.
CLOSING
In closing, I express my profound appreciation to our gracious hosts—the China Media Group and the Shandong Provincial People’s Government—for their commitment to international media cooperation and for the honour of including Nigeria in this transformative dialogue.
Together, let us harness the power of civilization to build bridges of understanding, amplify shared dreams, and shape a world where diversity is our greatest strength.
Thank you. Xie Xie.
Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, mnipr, is the Director General/CEO, Voice of Nigeria (VON)
