YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nigeria's official pavilion at a major international conference in Japan was left unattended, sparking embarrassment and prompting a private-sector attendee to voluntarily represent the country to potential investors.
The incident occurred at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), a high-level forum focused on African economic growth. While other nations actively manned their booths to showcase opportunities, Nigeria's designated space was reportedly empty, despite a known official delegation being funded to attend.
Idris Ayo Bello, a Nigerian entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Wennovation Hub, documented the situation online, expressing his dismay at finding the country's exhibit unmanned. Noting that officials had likely received public funds ("estacode") for the trip, Bello stated he felt compelled to act to protect Nigeria's international image.
Taking the initiative, he informally appointed himself as an “Honorary Consul” and began managing the vacant booth. For several hours, he fielded a wide range of inquiries from global delegates and investors interested in sectors from agriculture, oil, gas, and manufacturing to real estate and fashion.
His improvised representation garnered significant attention, leading to an interview with Nikkei Asia, a prominent Japanese financial publication. Bello discussed Nigeria's strategic importance to Japan, particularly in the context of evolving global trade dynamics.
The absence of official representatives at the business and investment showcase stands in contrast to the stated priorities of the conference, which focuses on "co-creating innovative solutions with Africa" and improving the continent's business environment through private investment.
President Bola Tinubu was confirmed by the State House to be attending the TICAD9 summit, with plans to participate in plenary sessions and hold bilateral meetings with Japanese business leaders. The incident raises questions about the coordination and effectiveness of the nation's broader delegation at the event.
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