TICAD 9: Tinubu in Tokyo for strategic engagements not trade expo – Presidency

The presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s participation at the ongoing ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, saying the mission is focused on strategic engagements with development partners rather than attending a trade exhibition.

The clarification followed social media criticism over Nigeria’s unattended booth at the summit’s opening.

A post by Idris Ayodeji Bello, a Nigerian participant at TICAD9, drew attention to the stall, describing it as embarrassing.

“Nigeria’s booth at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) was left unattended for hours on the summit’s opening day, sparking embarrassment among delegates.

While other African countries had officials actively engaging visitors and distributing materials, Nigeria’s section remained vacant,” Bello wrote on X.

His account was corroborated by Ola Brown, founder of HealthCap, who, alongside her husband, David Brown, and Bello, engaged international guests at the empty booth. She also shared photos and videos of their efforts.

‘Not a trade expo’

Responding, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the criticism misrepresented Nigeria’s objectives at the conference.

“The trending social media narrative about an empty booth labelled ‘NIGERIA’ at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, totally misrepresented our country’s mission and activities at the conference.

The Nigerian official delegation working with Corporate Nigeria, represented by some of our leading business leaders, didn’t come to Yokohama and Tokyo to attend any trade expo, designed as an open forum for participating nations,” he said.

Onanuga said Nigerian ministers were occupied with bilateral sideline discussions while Tinubu was scheduled to meet executives of Toyota Corporation, CFAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP and the International Finance Corporation.

He highlighted projects being discussed with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), including the Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission System Improvement to boost grid stability, a vocational training partnership with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and a $190 million renewable energy scale-up initiative.

He added that Supo Olusi, managing director of the Bank of Industry, was in talks with JICA and other multilateral institutions on the bank’s global fund syndication.

“Social media posts are often sensational and do not tell complete stories, just as the trending video does not capture Nigeria’s participation at TICAD9. Our country is fully and well represented and part of the essential conversations and negotiations that are going on,” Onanuga said.

‘Outcomes, not optics’

Also weighing in, Otega Ogra, senior special assistant to the president, said Nigeria’s delegation was focused on substance over appearances.

“Nigeria is not in Japan for optics. We do not need to mimic others to prove our relevance. Visibility is not the only metric. Value is,” he wrote on X.

“While some chase optics, Nigerian officials have been working deliberately, consistently, and with focus.

“HM Pate is working to finalise a landmark health sector agreement with Japanese partners. HM Power is also working on a major energy partnership.

“Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture are there and are deep in investment negotiations. HM Foreign Affairs is leading ministerial-level engagements. Mr President is also meeting with Japanese investors, the Nigerian diaspora business community, development partners, and fellow heads of government on the sidelines.

“The work is being done. Quietly. Strategically. With impact.”

He added that in line with the structure of TICAD, Nigeria’s assigned space will be more actively used on Day 2 and Day 3, which, according to him, are thematically focused on economy and society. It will also function as an open national stand, accessible to all delegates for engagement.