President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja on Friday, ahead of an official two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil, with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The President departed from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 11:15am.
Top government officials, including the Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, amongst others, were present at the airport to bid him farewell.
On Thursday, Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that in Japan, the President would participate in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), scheduled in Yokohama from Aug. 20 to 22.
Private investment
The conference, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” would focus on economic transformation, private investment, and institutional development across the continent.
During the summit, the Presidential aide said President Tinubu would attend plenary sessions and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, as well as Japanese business executives.
He further noted that the President will engage with CEOs of Japanese companies that already and were considering, investments in Nigeria.
TICAD9 aim to promote a resilient and sustainable African society grounded in peace, stability, and human security.
TICAD, an initiative of the Japanese government launched in 1993, is co-hosted by the United Nations, UNDP, African Union Commission, and the World Bank.
The summit, held every three years, alternates between Japan and African countries. The last edition was hosted in Tunisia in 2022.
Following the summit in Japan, President Tinubu would proceed to Brazil, for a state visit from Aug. 24 to 25 on the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Participate in a business
While in Brazil, the Nigerian Leader will hold bilateral talks with his host and participate in a business forum aimed at attracting Brazilian investment to Nigeria.
His delegation, comprising key ministers and senior officials, would explore economic partnerships and is expected to sign various agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Brazilian government.
Lateefah Ibrahim