PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), taking place from August 20 to 22 in Yokohama.
Tinubu’s aircraft landed at the Presidential Wing of Haneda International Airport at 12:50 a.m. local time on Tuesday—still late Monday night in Nigeria due to the eight-hour time difference.
He was welcomed by Ambassador Hideo Matsubara, the official in charge of Haneda Airport for TICAD, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, and members of the Nigerian Embassy.
The President left Abuja on Friday, August 15, accompanied by senior officials, including ministers and advisers, with a brief stopover in Dubai before continuing to Japan.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will take part in plenary sessions focused on the conference theme, hold bilateral meetings, and engage with chief executives of Japanese companies investing in Nigeria.
This year’s summit, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, will highlight Africa’s economic transformation, improvements to business and institutional environments, and private sector-driven innovation, alongside efforts to build a resilient and sustainable African society anchored on peace, security, and stability.
Established by the Japanese government and co-hosted by the United Nations, UNDP, the African Union Commission, and the World Bank, TICAD is held every three years, alternating between Japan and Africa. The last edition took place in Tunisia in 2022.
After the conference, President Tinubu will proceed to Brasília for a two-day state visit to Brazil from August 24 to 25, at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
His engagements in Brazil will include bilateral talks and a business forum with Brazilian investors.