President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience in the fight against insurgency and criminality, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity through stronger institutions and economic reforms.
Speaking during the plenary session on Peace and Stability at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, Tinubu said Nigeria’s inclusivity, diversity, and respect for the rule of law remain the country’s greatest 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 declared. He described the current momentum in the armed forces as a “springboard for national development and stability.”
The President also stressed that peace and stability are indispensable for Africa’s development, citing recent peace agreements in the Democratic Republic of Congo as proof that mediation linked to investment can deliver sustainable outcomes. He urged African leaders to adopt “fresh thinking” in addressing conflicts and called for market-driven cooperation rather than aid dependency.
Tinubu further renewed Nigeria’s call for reforms of the United Nations Security Council to give Africa greater representation. “Africa deserves two seats in the Permanent Category, with all prerogatives including the Right of Veto,” he said, citing the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
At the opening session, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced that Japan, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), will mobilise up to $5.5 billion for Africa. The funds will be channelled through the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) private sector investment finance facility.
Prime Minister Ishiba emphasised Japan’s focus on private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration. He noted that while Japan faces declining population and shrinking farmland, Africa’s youthful population presents opportunities for rapid industrialisation.
“There is so much potential in Africa’s young population, but for their power to flourish, manufacturing and employment must be created. That is very important,” Ishiba said, stressing the need for Africa to move from dependence on primary industries to building competitive secondary and manufacturing sectors.
The Japanese leader appealed for stronger Africa–Japan partnerships rooted in “co-creation and local solutions,” noting that mutual understanding is key to sustainable development.
The three-day TICAD9 Summit, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, continues with deliberations on trade, technology, security, and sustainable growth.
