The Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs have dismissed viral claims that Nigeria was poorly represented at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan.
The controversy arose after a video showing an empty booth marked “Nigeria” circulated online, with some critics suggesting it reflected negligence. One attendee, Idris Bello, alleged on X (formerly Twitter) that Nigeria’s stand was the only one left unmanned.
In response, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement on Wednesday titled “Nigeria’s participation at TICAD9: Focusing on strategic engagements, not trade expos.” He clarified that Nigeria did not attend TICAD9 for the exhibition but to pursue high-level bilateral and multilateral engagements.
“The narrative about an empty booth labelled ‘Nigeria’ misrepresents our mission,” Onanuga said. “President Bola Tinubu’s delegation is prioritizing strategic meetings in power, industry, and agriculture to deliver tangible results.”
He revealed that Tinubu is holding talks with major corporations and institutions, including Toyota, CFAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP, and the International Finance Corporation. Meanwhile, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu is engaging Japanese partners on JICA-funded projects such as the Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission upgrade, renewable energy scale-up initiatives, and training programs with NAPTIN. Adelabu is also expected to meet with Japanese Original Equipment Manufacturers, including Toshiba and Hitachi.
Additionally, the Bank of Industry, led by Supo Olusi, is in discussions with JICA and other partners on its global fund syndication.
Onanuga stressed that “the Nigerian delegation, in collaboration with Corporate Nigeria, is not in Yokohama for a trade fair but for strategic engagements that will yield measurable outcomes.”
The Foreign Affairs Ministry also addressed the matter, explaining on X that Nigeria’s booth had not yet been inaugurated. “The booth will be officially opened on Thursday, 21st August 2025, after which it will become fully operational and serve delegates of TICAD,” it stated.
Meanwhile, during his plenary address on peace and stability, President Tinubu renewed calls for UN reforms, demanding two permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council with full rights and veto powers, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
Tinubu further commended Nigeria’s military for recent successes against insurgency but warned that long-term peace requires addressing poverty, inequality, and exclusion. “Our armed forces can win battles, but true justice to their heroism lies in confronting the root causes of conflict,” he said.
He also cited peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo as proof that linking mediation with economic investment can deliver lasting stability. Urging African nations to embrace cross-border, market-driven partnerships, he rejected what he called “hackneyed appeals for aid and handouts,” positioning TICAD9 as a platform for transformative outcomes.
