The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in Yokohama, Japan, was expected to be a platform for Nigeria to showcase investment opportunities, strengthen diplomatic ties, and promote its image as Africa’s largest economy.
However, instead of making headlines for trade or partnerships, Nigeria attracted global attention for a different reason — its empty exhibition booth on the opening day.
This incident has sparked a heated debate about poor representation, government accountability, and the importance of image in international diplomacy.
What Happened at TICAD 9?
On August 20, 2025, as the TICAD 9 summit opened, delegations from across Africa and Asia proudly displayed their countries’ culture, business potential, and investment opportunities. But Nigeria’s booth stood completely unmanned — no officials, no materials, and no presence.
This glaring absence quickly went viral after Idris Ayodeji Bello, a Nigerian entrepreneur and co-founder of Wennovation Hub, posted on social media:
“It is sad that Nigeria is the only unmanned booth at TICAD 9 in Japan. So ashamed, I have now designated myself as Honorary Consul and taken over the booth to engage visitors.”
Soon after, healthcare investor Dr. Ola Brown joined Bello, and together they informally manned the stand, engaging visitors, business owners, and academics curious about Nigeria.
Public Outcry and Embarrassment
The image of an empty booth at such a high-profile event quickly sparked outrage among Nigerians online. Many described it as “embarrassing,” “a missed opportunity,” and yet another sign of government inefficiency.
Social media buzzed with criticism:
- Why was Nigeria’s delegation unprepared for such an important summit?
- How could private citizens step up while officials were missing?
- What signal does this send to investors and partners about Nigeria’s seriousness?
The incident became one of the most discussed moments of TICAD 9, overshadowing other aspects of Nigeria’s participation.
Government Response
In response to the backlash, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a clarification, stating that Nigeria’s booth was scheduled for official inauguration on August 21, one day after the opening. Officials later arrived at the venue to set up the stand properly.
While the clarification aimed to calm the uproar, many Nigerians argued that the damage had already been done. In diplomacy, first impressions matter, and Nigeria had allowed its first impression at TICAD 9 to be one of absence.
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