Nigeria Clarifies Delay in Opening TICAD9 Booth Amid Public Backlash

Nigeria’s participation at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, has come under scrutiny after its exhibition booth was found unmanned on the first day of the summit. The incident, which quickly spread across social media, drew criticism from both citizens and opposition leaders who described it as an embarrassment for Africa’s most populous country.

Posts from participants at the event showed the Nigerian booth standing empty while delegations from smaller countries, including Cape Verde and Lesotho, showcased their national products and investment opportunities.

Idris Ayodeji Bello, Co-Founder of Wennovation Hub, said he had to step in to engage visitors after noticing that Nigeria’s stand was deserted, while another participant, Dr. Ola Brown, confirmed that the booth was left without official representation throughout the day.
The situation sparked outrage online, with many commentators questioning why Nigeria, despite its size and influence, would appear unprepared at such a significant international forum.

Opposition figures also weighed in, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar describing the development as another “show of shame,” while former Anambra State governor Peter Obi said the empty booths abroad reflected the “emptiness” of governance at home.

In response to the criticism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the booth had not been neglected but was scheduled for an official inauguration on Thursday, August 21, 2025, a day after the summit commenced. According to the ministry, the booth will become fully operational after the launch and will be used to showcase Nigeria’s investment opportunities, culture, and government initiatives to TICAD delegates.

Presidential aides also downplayed the backlash, insisting that the Nigerian delegation’s primary focus in Japan was on bilateral and multilateral engagements.

They noted that President Bola Tinubu and senior officials had already held strategic meetings with international corporations such as Toyota and CFAO, as well as agencies including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Despite these explanations, the government’s decision to open the booth a day after the conference began has continued to draw criticism. Many observers argue that it undermines Nigeria’s image at a time when the country is seeking deeper trade and investment ties with Japan and other Asian economies.

TICAD9, which runs from August 20 to 22, 2025, is a high-level platform jointly organized by the Japanese government, the United Nations, and the African Union to strengthen economic cooperation between Japan and African nations. While Nigeria’s officials maintain that the late inauguration was part of a planned schedule, the controversy over the unmanned booth has already become one of the most discussed moments of the summit, raising fresh questions about coordination and planning in the country’s foreign engagements.