Nigeria’s participation at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Japan has become a subject of public debate after images of an unmanned Nigerian booth surfaced online, drawing criticism from citizens and opposition figures.

Idris Ayodeji Bello, a Nigerian social entrepreneur attending the conference, had first raised concerns on social media, saying Nigeria’s stand was the only one unattended at the exhibition.

“I hate to show negative things about Nigeria but it is sad that Nigeria is the only unmanned booth at TICAD9 in Japan. Upon all the folks who probably got estacode for coming to Japan. Only God knows how many Japanese folks have asked me about the unmanned booth seeing my dressing. So ashamed I have now designated myself as Honorary Consul and taken over the booth to engage visitors,” Bello wrote.

The post sparked a wave of reactions, including from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who linked the incident to what he described as governance failures under the Tinubu administration.

“Just like ongoing show of shame at the empty Nigerian booth in far away Japan, two years into this administration, we are probably waiting for an official inauguration or preferably an ‘unveiling’ of Renewed Hope before Nigerians can experience good governance,” Atiku posted on X.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a clarification, stating that Nigeria’s booth had not yet been officially opened.

“Contrary to a tweet made by a participant at TICAD, the Nigerian Booth at #TICAD9 has not yet been opened. The booth will be officially inaugurated on Thursday, 21st August 2025, after which it will become fully operational and serve the delegates of TICAD,” the ministry wrote.

O’tega Ogra, Special Assistant on Digital Communications to President Tinubu, also weighed in, stressing that the space was not designed to be a permanent national pavilion but rather a spillover area used by delegates for informal meetings or following proceedings.

“These rooms can often be used as workspaces, quiet zones, or hubs for side meetings or, as some countries have done, converted to national pavilions. They are not required to be continuously manned or styled as permanent showcases,” Ogra explained.

He added that Nigeria’s delegation was focused on substantive engagements rather than optics, pointing to negotiations being pursued by the Ministers of Health and Power, investment discussions by the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture, and meetings by President Tinubu with investors and development partners.

“Nigeria is not in Japan for optics. We do not need to mimic others to prove our relevance. Visibility is not the only metric. Value is,” Ogra stated. “In diplomacy, presence is not always performance and substance will always outweigh spectacle.”

According to the TICAD thematic guidebook, the exhibition segment officially opened on August 20 and will run until August 22, with participating countries expected to have their booths open from the first day. Nigerian officials have, however, assured that the stand will be active from Day 2 of the conference.