Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to mounting criticism over the country’s lack of visible representation at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan, explaining that its official stand is scheduled to open on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The controversy erupted on Wednesday after images and comments circulated online showing Nigeria’s booth at the summit empty, despite the attendance of President Bola Tinubu and other African leaders.
The absence of a visible delegation sparked outrage on social media, where many accused the government of neglecting opportunities to promote the country’s economic potential before international investors and policymakers.
The situation drew particular attention after Idris Ayo Bello, Co-Founder of Wennovation Hub, said he was compelled to step in informally to represent Nigeria at the exhibition space. Bello reportedly engaged international visitors on areas ranging from agriculture and oil and gas to real estate, fashion, and manufacturing.
His improvised efforts reportedly attracted the interest of Japanese business media, including Nikkei Asia, which interviewed him about Nigeria’s role as a potential trade partner for Japan.
The viral episode fueled public debate on Nigeria’s readiness to showcase its strengths on the global stage, with critics pointing to repeated lapses in official representation at major international gatherings.
In its official response, however, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed suggestions of negligence, stressing that Nigeria’s booth had not yet been inaugurated.
According to the ministry, the stand will be formally opened on Thursday, after which it will operate fully for the remainder of the summit.
TICAD, jointly organized by the Government of Japan, the United Nations, and other international partners, serves as a key platform for African nations to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties with Asia.
For Nigeria, the summit represents an opportunity to court investors across critical sectors amid efforts to diversify its economy.
While the government insists that the country’s official representation will begin with the stand’s formal launch, the incident has already drawn attention to questions about Nigeria’s preparedness and strategic engagement at high-level international forums.
