The Presidency says Nigeria’s delegation at TICAD 9 is focused on investment-driven engagements, dismissing social media claims of poor representation.
The Presidency has dismissed reports circulating on social media over an empty Nigerian booth at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), saying the country’s focus in Japan is on high-level engagements, not trade expos.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement Wednesday that the viral video was “a concern inspired by ignorance about Nigeria’s mission at TICAD.” He stressed that President Bola Tinubu and his team are “laser-focused on achieving tangible outcomes” in power, industry, and agriculture.
The delegation is holding bilateral talks with Toyota, CFAO, UN agencies, and the International Finance Corporation. The Ministry of Power is negotiating with JICA on projects including a $190 million renewable energy scale-up plan, while the Bank of Industry is pursuing fund syndication.
Onanuga added: “Our country is not at TICAD for showmanship but for substance.”