By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
MISLEADING SOCIAL media posts about an empty booth labelled “Nigeria” at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, have been described as a misrepresentation of the country’s mission and activities at the summit.
In an official statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, (Information and Strategy) on August 20, 2025, the Nigerian delegation explained that the image and video and pictures circulated online gave an incorrect impression of the nation’s participation.
While acknowledging that some of the commentary may have come from patriotic concern, the delegation said the criticism was based on ignorance of Nigeria’s objectives and schedule at TICAD9.
The statement clarified that Nigeria’s participation is focused on high-level bilateral and multilateral engagements aimed at securing concrete outcomes in key sectors including power, industry, and agriculture.
The delegation emphasised that the mission was not designed around the Trade Expo element of TICAD9, which serves as an open exhibition platform for participating nations.
According to the delegation, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is scheduled to host an investment forum on Thursday, 21 August 2025, as part of the programme.
Meanwhile, Nigerian ministers and business leaders are holding sideline discussions, while President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to meet with top executives of Toyota Corporation, CFAO, UN-Habitat, the United Nations Development Programme, and the International Finance Corporation.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is also leading preparatory negotiations for the implementation of several major projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
These include the Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission System Improvement project, designed to expand grid stability and wheeling capacity while connecting industries along the corridor; the partnership between the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) and JICA for enhanced vocational training in the power sector; and the Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-up initiative supported by a $190 million facility.
Adelabu is also billed to engage Original Equipment Manufacturers such as Toshiba and Hitachi for further sectoral cooperation.
The Bank of Industry delegation, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive, Dr Supo Olusi, is holding discussions with JICA and other multilateral partners on its annual global fund syndication.
The Nigerian delegation reiterated that social media narratives often present incomplete accounts of international engagements and that the trending image and video failed to reflect the country’s full participation at TICAD9.
It further stressed that Nigeria remains well represented at the summit and continues to be part of the crucial negotiations and conversations taking place in Yokohama.
