By Amofokhai Williams
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu touched down in Tokyo early Monday, poised to represent Nigeria at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
Greeted at Haneda International Airport’s Presidential Wing by Ambassador Hideo Matsubara, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, and Nigerian Embassy officials, Tinubu’s arrival signals Nigeria’s pivotal role in shaping Africa’s economic future.
Scheduled for August 20-22 at Pacifico Yokohama, TICAD9, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” will unite African leaders, Japanese officials, and global partners, including the United Nations, UNDP, African Union Commission, and World Bank.
The triennial summit, initiated by Japan and alternating between Japan and Africa—most recently hosted by Tunisia in 2022—focuses on fostering economic transformation through private investment, innovation, and institutional reforms.
“TICAD9 will promote a resilient and sustainable African society for human security, peace, and stability,” noted a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry, underscoring the summit’s ambitious agenda.
President Tinubu is set to leverage the platform to advance Nigeria’s economic priorities, engaging in bilateral meetings and high-level discussions with CEOs of Japanese companies invested in Nigeria.
“The President will hold bilateral meetings and participate in high-profile meetings with the chief executive officers of some Japanese companies with investments in Nigeria,” Bayo Onanuga confirmed.
These engagements aim to deepen Nigeria-Japan economic ties, building on Japan’s long-standing commitment to Africa’s development through TICAD.
The summit’s focus on innovative solutions resonates with Nigeria’s ongoing reforms under Tinubu’s administration, which has prioritized foreign investment and infrastructure development.
The conference offers a critical opportunity for Nigeria to secure partnerships that bolster energy, agriculture, and technology sectors, aligning with Tinubu’s vision for sustainable growth.
