Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed diplomatic drive aimed at strengthening the country’s global standing and opening fresh opportunities for investment and partnerships.
Speaking with journalists in Yokohama after the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), Senator Bagudu described the President’s leadership as exemplary, noting that his presence and active participation underscored Nigeria’s determination to reclaim its pride of place in world affairs.
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“The first thing we should appreciate is the tremendous capacity His Excellency, Mr President, is bringing to bear to diplomacy. He came to Japan to participate in TICAD9, and from here he is going to Brazil. That tells Nigerians how much personal effort he’s putting in to lead Nigeria’s diplomacy, to ensure that we get investment and to ensure that Nigeria regains its status in its place of pride in the world. So this is highly commendable,” the Minister said.
Senator Bagudu noted that TICAD9 highlighted the growing convergence between Japan and Africa on a shared vision for sustainable development, inclusive prosperity, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
“Both sides acknowledged that true development is about humanity working together and sharing prosperity rather than perpetuating dominance,” he added.
He explained that the President’s approach reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises partnerships with nations and institutions that respect Nigeria and share its ideals of inclusive growth.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is saying that we want to relate with those who respect us, those with whom we share common conceptions of development, and he’s ready to go the extra mile to ensure that it is a win-win situation,” Bagudu stated.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to global cooperation under the framework of the United Nations while emphasising that Tinubu’s diplomatic strategy is firmly anchored on boosting trade, attracting investments, and strengthening collective management of international affairs.
He stressed that the President’s efforts at TICAD9 signal Nigeria’s readiness to deepen global partnerships that deliver tangible benefits for the country’s economy and position Africa as a key player in shaping the future of sustainable development.
PIAK