*The Federal Government clarifies President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ‘laser-focused’ on the Nigerian delegation’s core objectives of achieving tangible outcomes from the scheduled lineup of bilateral and multilateral engagements in especially in power, industry and agriculture sectors of the economy

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Contrary to the trending social media narrative about an empty booth labelled ‘NIGERIA’, at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), in Yokohama, Japan, the Federal Government has said the viral misleading claim was completely a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s “mission and activities at the conference”.

The Presidency also explained that it understood the urge by many social media users to seek clicks with many incorrect posts.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who noted this Wednesday, August 20, 2025, however, said: “We also recognise that the author may have acted out of patriotic concern.

“But it is a concern inspired by ignorance about Nigeria鈥檚 mission at the triennial conference.”

The government stated that the Nigerian delegation to the summit, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “is laser-focused on its core objectives of achieving tangible outcomes from the scheduled lineup of bilateral and multilateral engagements, targeted at driving optimum performance in key sectors of the economy, especially in power, industry and agriculture.”

Onanuga also said the official delegation, working with Corporate Nigeria, represented by some of the country’s leading business leaders, “didn’t come to Yokohama and Tokyo to attend any Trade Expo, designed as an open forum for participating nations.”

The statement disclosed the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), is scheduled to host an investment forum Thursday, August 21.

The Presidential aide said the Nigerian Ministers were busy with bilateral sideline discussions.

Likewise, President Tinubu will lead meetings with the Executives of Toyota Corporation, CFAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Onanuga noted.

The delegation鈥檚 schedule, he restated, “does not include participation in an open forum trade exhibition.”

The statement further explained specifically, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Honourable Minister for Power, would be leading the pre-activation meeting to execute several power projects in Nigeria that are being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The government revealed one of the projects is the Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission System Improvement, which is designed to improve the wheeling capacity and grid stability and enable the connection of industrial customers on the corridor.

There is also the partnership between the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) and JICA to enhance Vocational Training Delivery for the power sector.

The third power project is the Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-up, for which $190 million has been provided.

The Minister for Power is scheduled to negotiate with notable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as TOSHIBA and HITACHI.

The Bank of Industry, led by Dr. Supo Olusi, Managing Director/Chief Executive, is also in high-level discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and other participating multilateral institutions for its annual global fund syndication.

The statement added: “Social media posts are often sensational, and do not tell complete stories, just as the trending video does not capture Nigeria’s participation at TICAD 9.

“Our country is fully and well-represented and part of the essential conversations and negotiations that are going on at TICAD9.”

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