The Presidency has dismissed viral social media claims suggesting that Nigeria was absent from the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan, following the circulation of a video showing an empty booth labeled “Nigeria.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency described the narrative as misleading and a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s mission at the triennial summit.
According to the statement, Nigeria’s delegation, led by President Bola Tinubu, is prioritizing strategic bilateral and multilateral engagements over participation in the open trade exhibition. The delegation, working alongside top business leaders under the umbrella of Corporate Nigeria, is focusing on securing concrete outcomes in critical sectors such as power, industry, and agriculture.
“The Nigerian official delegation didn’t come to Yokohama and Tokyo to attend any trade expo. Our focus is on high-level meetings designed to deliver tangible results,” the Presidency clarified.
Highlighting key engagements, the statement noted that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is leading negotiations with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on several major projects, including the Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission System Improvement, vocational training partnerships with the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN), and a $190 million renewable energy scale-up program. The minister is also scheduled to hold talks with global equipment manufacturers TOSHIBA and HITACHI.
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In addition, the Bank of Industry, under its Managing Director, Dr. Supo Olusi, is engaging JICA and other multilateral partners in discussions for its annual global fund syndication. Meanwhile, President Tinubu is expected to meet with executives of Toyota Corporation, CFAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP, and the International Finance Corporation.
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is also set to host an investment forum on Thursday, August 21, 2025, as part of Nigeria’s engagements at the summit.
Onanuga emphasized that while social media posts often thrive on sensationalism, they do not capture the full scope of Nigeria’s participation. “Our country is fully and well represented and part of the essential conversations and negotiations at TICAD 9,” he stated.