TOKYO, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has defended its handling of the country’s participation at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), following sharp criticism over the late opening of its booth at the summit in Japan.
The three-day conference, which began on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 and ends Friday, August 22, 2025, featured booths from participating countries showcasing investment opportunities and welcoming delegates.
But Nigeria’s stand remained empty on the opening day, with some delegates reportedly stepping in to man the space temporarily.
Images and reports of the vacant stand circulated widely on social media, sparking frustration among Nigerians who described the situation as an embarrassment at a major international gathering.
Responding to the backlash, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified in a statement that the booth was not abandoned but had not yet been formally inaugurated.
“Contrary to a tweet made by a participant at TICAD, the Nigerian Booth at #TICAD9 has not yet been opened,” the ministry said.
“The booth will be officially inaugurated on Thursday, 21st August 2025, after which it will become fully operational and serve the delegates of TICAD.”
Officials added that unveiling ceremonies at such events are not unusual, often involving ribbon-cutting, speeches, or demonstrations.
While the ministry described the planned inauguration as standard practice, many observers pushed back, noting that exhibitors typically seek to maximise exposure by opening their booths from the start of conferences.
Some Nigerians online dismissed the explanation as inadequate, questioning why the country would choose to wait until the penultimate day of the summit before activating its stand.
One critic on X wrote: “This is exactly why Nigeria struggles with global image management. We arrive late to everything—even our own booth.”
Another comment read: “Other countries are pitching to investors from day one, but Nigeria is waiting for an ‘inauguration ceremony.’ What a poor excuse.”
Nigeria is expected to formally open its booth on Thursday, August 21, 2025, with officials promising a stronger presence before the summit closes on Friday, August 22, 2025.
