The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that Nigeria’s booth at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan will be opened on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The ministry disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, in reaction to earlier criticism from Nigerians who lamented Nigeria’s unmanned booth at the event.
An Afropreneur and the co-founder of Wennovation Hub, Idris Ayo Bello, in a post on his official X account, raised concerns over Nigeria’s poor representation, despite official delegations, including President Bola Tinubu attending the event.
“I hate to show negative things about Nigeria but it is sad that Nigeria is the only unmanned booth at TICAD9 in Japan. Upon all the folks who probably got estacode for coming to Japan,” Bello wrote.
“Only God knows how many Japanese folks have asked me about the unmanned booth seeing my dressing.
“So ashamed I have now designated myself as Honorary Consul and taken over the booth to engage visitors.”
Reacting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X: “Contrary to a tweet made by a participant at TICAD, the Nigerian Booth at #TICAD9 has not yet been opened.
“The booth will be officially inaugurated on Thursday, 21st August 2025, after which it will become fully operational and serve the delegates of TICAD.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, had earlier said that Nigeria is using the TICAD9 as a springboard to expand trade with Japan, push for reforms in the global financial system, and consolidate its leadership role in Africa.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit in Tokyo, Tuggar stressed that Nigeria’s participation, led by President Tinubu, signals its determination to forge deeper ties with Japan while also using the multilateral platform to advocate for Africa’s interests.
