The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria has clarified that its booth at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan will officially open on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The clarification followed public criticism after Nigerians at the event raised concerns over the country’s seemingly unmanned booth despite the presence of an official delegation led by President Bola Tinubu.
Afropreneur and Wennovation Hub co-founder, Idris Ayo Bello, sparked debate when he posted on X that Nigeria was the only country without a representative at its booth.
Bello noted that he had personally engaged Japanese visitors who approached the stand, jokingly designating himself as an “Honorary Consul” to save face for the country.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on X, stressing that Nigeria’s booth had not been neglected but was simply yet to be inaugurated.
“The booth will be officially inaugurated on Thursday, 21st August 2025, after which it will become fully operational and serve the delegates of TICAD,” the ministry wrote, countering the narrative of poor representation.
Beyond the booth controversy, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s strategic objectives at TICAD9. Speaking in Tokyo, he explained that Nigeria seeks to expand trade relations with Japan, push for reforms in the global financial system, and consolidate its leadership role on the African continent.
According to Tuggar, Nigeria’s active participation at TICAD9 under President Tinubu signals a strong determination to deepen ties with Japan and advance Africa’s collective interests in multilateral settings.
He stressed that the platform offers Nigeria an opportunity not just for trade expansion, but also for shaping global economic discussions in favor of developing nations.