*Departs Japan for Brazil
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians in Japan to bring their skills, knowledge, and investments back home, stressing that their contributions are vital to the nation’s economic transformation and global leadership role.
The President made the call during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in Yokohama on the sidelines of the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
“You represent the diversity of our country. Nigeria is open for business, open for your thinking and doing. Thinking and doing is what governance is all about, promoting stability, unity and the change necessary for us to grow as a nation,” Tinubu said.
He assured that his administration’s reforms were beginning to yield results, noting that the economy was stabilising, opportunities expanding, and the trend of medical tourism gradually being reversed.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday departed Yokohama, Japan, for Brazil on an ultra-long-haul flight to begin a State Visit on Sunday, August 24.
The President will make a stopover in Los Angeles before continuing his journey to Brasília, the Brazilian capital.
President Tinubu had commenced his two-nation visit on Friday, August 15, departing Abuja with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before arriving in Yokohama in the early hours of August 18.
While in Japan, the President attended the opening ceremony and plenary of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) on August 20.
He also held several high-level bilateral meetings, which culminated in an interactive session with the Nigerian community in Japan on Thursday night.
“Things are stable, the economy is stabilised, the opportunities are immense, people are coming back. You will see the beginning of Nigeria rising,” he declared.
The President also urged citizens abroad to be proud ambassadors of the country, warning that negative portrayals of Nigeria undermine progress.
“Poor comments and negative reflections do not help growth. Every positive comment about Nigeria is owed by you, it is for your future and the future of your children,” he told the gathering.
On consular services, Tinubu sought feedback on passport renewal and visa processing, assuring Nigerians that improvements were underway. “If your nationality document reflects your expectations, you can be assured Nigeria will meet them,” he said.
While acknowledging that some Nigerians may choose to remain abroad for personal or economic reasons, Tinubu insisted their input at home remained indispensable. “Don’t stay away, your contribution is very much needed. If you stay away, who will build it?” he asked.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, said the administration’s reforms had already gained international recognition, noting that WTO Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, recently commended Nigeria’s growing stability.
Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, disclosed that over 1,000 applications for technology transfer had been processed in the past year, with $2 billion worth of commitments, including factories being established in Nigeria.
Industry leader Wale Tinubu also hailed the reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, which he said boosted revenues and encouraged diaspora investment.
Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Tokyo, Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, praised Nigerians in Japan, mostly students, academics, and professionals, for their positive contributions, while acknowledging immigration-related challenges faced by a few.
Leaders of the Nigerian Union in Japan and other professionals present pledged support for the President’s reforms and expressed confidence in his administration’s ability to transform the country.
