The Presidency has dismissed viral social media claims that Nigeria was absent or poorly represented at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan, insisting that the country’s delegation is focused on high-level economic diplomacy rather than trade exhibitions.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the trending video of an empty booth labeled “Nigeria” as misleading.
According to him, it falsely portrays Nigeria’s mission at the triennial conference.
“President Bola Tinubu is leading Nigeria’s delegation with clear objectives to secure tangible outcomes from bilateral and multilateral engagements in critical sectors such as power, industry, and agriculture. Our mission is not to participate in a trade expo,” Onanuga said.
He said the delegation includes key ministers and top private sector leaders, saying that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is in advanced talks with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on major projects, including the Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission System Improvement, vocational training support through the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN), and a $190 million renewable energy scale-up initiative. He is also scheduled to meet equipment giants TOSHIBA and HITACHI.
Similarly, Onanuga said the Bank of Industry, led by Dr. Supo Olusi, is engaging with JICA and other multilateral institutions on global fund syndications, while President Tinubu will hold strategic meetings with Toyota Corporation, CFAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP, and the International Finance Corporation.
Onanuga stressed that Nigeria remains fully represented at TICAD 9.
“Social media posts are often sensational and incomplete. Our country is part of the essential conversations and negotiations shaping Africa’s economic future,” he said.