Tinubu Hails Nigerian Armed Forces at TICAD 9 as Japan Pledges $5.5bn Support for Africa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience in the fight against insurgency and criminality, while restating his administration’s resolve to address the root causes of insecurity through stronger security structures and economic reforms.
The President spoke at the plenary session on Peace and Stability during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan. He described the renewed momentum of Nigeria’s armed forces as a “springboard for national development and stability,” stressing that inclusivity, diversity, and the rule of law remain the country’s enduring strengths.
“Our brave armed forces can win any number of battles, but we do justice to their heroism only when we, as government, are courageous in tackling not just terror, but also the underlying causes,” Tinubu said.
The Nigerian leader also highlighted recent mediation efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo as evidence that linking peace initiatives to economic development could deliver more sustainable stability across Africa.
He further urged African nations to embrace market-driven partnerships rather than rely on aid, while calling on Japan and other partners to back Africa’s demand for reforms at the United Nations, particularly in expanding the Security Council to give the continent permanent representation.
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“It is the view of Nigeria that Africa deserves two seats in the Permanent Category, with all its prerogatives and privileges, including the Right of Veto, as well as additional non-permanent seats,” he said.
During the opening session, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged up to $5.5 billion in support for Africa under a collaborative framework with the African Development Bank. The package will be disbursed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s private sector investment finance scheme, targeting sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.
Ishiba underscored the importance of “locally rooted solutions” for Africa’s development and praised the continent’s growing youthful population as a key driver of future prosperity. He, however, appealed for African cooperation as Japan grapples with demographic decline and shrinking agricultural land.
“In Africa, there is a primary industry—agriculture, forestry—and then it jumped to services. But for the power of the youth to flourish, manufacturing must be developed to improve productivity,” the Japanese leader said.
President Tinubu also stressed the role of technology as a tool for peace, calling for international cooperation to prevent its misuse in sowing division and distrust.
The TICAD forum, launched in 1993, serves as a platform for Japan and African leaders to deepen political, economic, and development cooperation.
By PRNigeria
