National Embarrassment: Nigeria's Delegation Absent at Key International Summit in Japan.

TOKYO, JAPAN – Nigeria faced public embarrassment at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) after its official delegation failed to show up, leaving the country's exhibition booth unmanned. The shocking discovery was made by Idris Ayo Bello, co-founder of Wennovation Hub, who lamented the absence of Nigerian representatives despite the likelihood that they received public funds to attend.

Bello, who shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter), expressed his profound disappointment at finding Nigeria's stand empty while other African nations actively showcased their economic potential. Feeling a sense of duty, he informally took on the role of an "Honorary Consul" to salvage the nation's image.

For hours, Bello engaged with international delegates and investors, answering a wide range of questions on topics from agriculture, real estate, and manufacturing to oil and gas. His impromptu efforts caught the attention of Nikkei Asia, a leading Japanese financial publication, which interviewed him on Nigeria's strategic importance to Japan.

"I hate to show negative things about Nigeria but it is sad that Nigeria is the only unmanned booth at TICAD9 in Japan," Bello wrote. "Upon all the folks who probably got estacode for coming to Japan."

He explained that he had to rely on his "residual knowledge from the life of an Afropreneur" to answer complex inquiries, highlighting the unpreparedness of the official delegation.

The State House had previously announced that President Bola Tinubu would attend the TICAD9 conference from August 20 to 22. The summit, with the theme "Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa," was designed to focus on Africa's economic transformation through private investment and innovation. The President was also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Japanese companies. However, the absence of a proper Nigerian delegation has cast a shadow on the country's commitment to the event's objectives.