The Presidency has addressed viral claims that Nigeria had an “empty booth” at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan.

Photos showing a vacant space labelled “Nigeria” had circulated on social media, sparking outrage and criticism from concerned Nigerians.

But Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga clarified on Wednesday that the country’s delegation, led by President Bola Tinubu, is not in Yokohama to run a trade exhibition. Instead, Nigeria’s focus is on strategic talks and securing opportunities in critical areas such as power, industry, and agriculture.

“Nigeria is not participating as a trade exhibitor,” Onanuga explained, describing the reports as misleading. He acknowledged that the concerns may stem from patriotism but stressed that they reflect “a misunderstanding of Nigeria’s actual objectives at TICAD9.”

According to him, the core mission is to strengthen bilateral and multilateral partnerships that will translate into real economic growth and development for the nation.

He also revealed that the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) will be hosting a special investment forum at the event on Thursday, further showcasing Nigeria’s readiness to engage with global investors.

In essence, the Presidency insists that Nigeria’s presence at TICAD9 is not about filling up a booth space, but about filling up investment pipelines that can power the nation’s future.