The Nigerian booth at the ongoing TICAD in Tokyo | Photo: Idris Bello/X
The ministry of foreign affairs says Nigeria will formally inaugurate its booth at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan on Thursday—a day before the three-day summit draws to a close.
The conference opened on Wednesday and is scheduled to end on Friday.
As the summit got underway, booths representing various countries welcomed investors and visitors.
However, Nigeria’s stand stood conspicuously empty on the opening day of the conference, leaving some delegates to take up the task of manning it.
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The situation quickly drew criticism from Nigerians online, who lamented the country’s poor representation at such a high-profile gathering.
But the ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the concerns.
“Contrary to a tweet made by a participant at TICAD, the Nigerian Booth at #TICAD9 has not yet been opened,” the ministry said in a statement.
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“The booth will be officially inaugurated on Thursday, 21st August 2025, after which it will become fully operational and serve the delegates of TICAD.”
CAN BOOTHS BE INAUGURATED?
It is not an unusual practice to have some form of opening or unveiling ceremony around the booth, especially at trade shows and conferences.
This can include ribbon-cutting, speeches, demos, or special giveaways.
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However, these activities are mostly informal and happen at the start of the conferences, as exhibitors ideally want to be present and active from the start to maximise visibility, networking, and influence.
Most reactions to the foreign affairs ministry’s explanation criticised it as an inadequate excuse.
Here are some reactions.
Inauguration of booth? I have supported more than 15 international events and never heard of booth official inauguration in my life. And on the 2nd day of the conference? TICAD started today.
AdvertisementWho is the idiot who wrote this for you?
— Rinu Oduala 🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) August 20, 2025
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Silence would have been golden rather than this tweet; there was a high presence of economic activity already being displayed
Advertisement— Olumide Adesina (@olumidecapital) August 20, 2025
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Why was the Nigerian booth closed while others were open? This is not the defense you think it is o.
— Naija (@Naija_PR) August 20, 2025
Other booths from other countries were opened but you want to open your own booth a day after.
God forbid we imagine how much went into budget for the trip. How many people you masked under “attendees” and “delegates”.
Not one person could be at the booth. Not one.
Again, who…
— 👑S.A.L.A.K.O🕊 (@UnkleAyo) August 20, 2025
Your President was there from day 1 but you but you want to open the booth on day 2?
You want to carry “Nigerian Time” to an international event? pic.twitter.com/oAWeOAL3sb
— Walter Black (@Dvgviral) August 20, 2025
Did you not see other countries booths opened?
Why is our own different?
— Morris Monye (@Morris_Monye) August 20, 2025
You people think it’s business as usual?
You guys will actually NOT get away with this by God’s grace.A ma fun yin lorun pa!!
Una no go give PBAT a bad name and the country at large
— Sheyi Shobayo (@sposhbaba) August 20, 2025
Story for the gods. All other countries booths were opened. So Nigeria is so special that visitors would wait for them?
— EchoMaestro MemHustle (@echomaestro5) August 20, 2025
You’ll inaugurate your own after the event? Omo, this country just dey on cruise control pic.twitter.com/P0l52wLiLR
— Ox. Wealth ⛵💎||₿|| (@De_Maverickone) August 20, 2025
We don’t have booth to open simple! There was no plan for it, if it happens tomorrow know that it was planned today because of the tweet. This government has no single international engagement awareness. Shame on!
— Jane Orumen (@Ohijeme) August 20, 2025
Official inauguration of a booth a day after an event have started and other serious countries are present?
You mean to say you came “late” and this is what you write after leaving your physical booth empty.
Oh mehn!!! Shame wear me Agbada 😭😭😭
— Service Culture Evangelist 🇳🇬🫶🏽 (@PrisciliaAmadi) August 20, 2025
