President Tinubu Embark on Official Visits to Japan and Brazil on Thursday

President Tinubu to Attend High-Level Conferences in Japan and Brazil

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga released an official statement on Wednesday outlining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming diplomatic engagements in Asia and South America.

According to Onanuga, President Tinubu’s first destination will be Yokohama, Japan, where he is scheduled to participate in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). This high-level summit, which will take place from August 20 to August 22, aims to foster deeper collaboration between Japan and African nations.

The central theme of this year’s conference is “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa.” Onanuga noted that TICAD9 is strategically focused on facilitating Africa’s economic transformation by improving institutional frameworks and business environments. This will be achieved by encouraging innovation and increasing private sector investment across the continent. The conference will also emphasize the creation of a resilient and sustainable African society, built on the foundations of human security, social stability, and peace.

The aim of President Tinubu’s visit

In addition to participating in the main sessions of the conference, President Tinubu is expected to engage in a series of bilateral talks. He will also meet with top executives of major Japanese companies that either currently operate in Nigeria or are exploring potential investment opportunities within the country. These interactions are expected to strengthen economic ties and foster mutually beneficial business relationships.

TICAD, launched in 1993 through the initiative of the Japanese government, is organized in partnership with international bodies such as the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union Commission, and the World Bank. The conference is held every three years and alternates between Japan and an African host nation. The last edition, TICAD8, was hosted by Tunisia in August 2022.

President Tinubu’s intended date of visit

Following his engagements in Japan, President Tinubu will travel to Brasília, the capital of Brazil, for a state visit from Sunday, August 24, to Monday, August 25. This visit is being made at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

During his stay in Brazil, President Tinubu is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with President Lula da Silva. He will also take part in a business forum where he will interact with Brazilian investors and explore avenues for enhanced economic collaboration between Nigeria and Brazil.

The President will be accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking government officials, including key ministers and senior advisers. Their mission will include the negotiation and signing of cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with their Brazilian counterparts, with a focus on boosting bilateral relations across sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, technology, and infrastructure development.

These back-to-back diplomatic visits highlight Nigeria’s renewed drive to strengthen international partnerships, attract foreign direct investment, and position itself as a key player in global economic and development dialogues.