President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday commended Nigeria’s armed forces for their significant successes in the fight against insurgency and criminality, while stressing his administration’s commitment to tackling the root causes of insecurity.
Speaking at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), President Tinubu said his government is addressing insecurity not just through military action but also through ongoing economic and institutional reforms.
“Nigeria’s brave armed forces can win any number of battles,” President Tinubu stated, “but we do justice to their heroism only when we, as the government, are courageous in tackling not just terror, but also the underlying causes.”
The President’s remarks followed the opening address by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who announced a new collaborative economic framework with the African Development Bank, promising up to $5.5 billion in support for Africa. The funds will be disbursed using the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) private sector investment finance.
Prime Minister Ishiba highlighted Japan’s focus on private sector-led growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration as key to sustainable development in Africa. He also appealed to African nations for assistance as Japan faces challenges with a declining population and shrinking agricultural land.
President Tinubu also used the platform to advocate for a greater voice for Africa in global governance. He called on Japan to support the campaign for reforms in the United Nations, specifically demanding two permanent seats with veto power for Africa on the UN Security Council, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
The President emphasized the importance of peace and stability as a prerequisite for development, citing recent peace pacts in the Congo as a new model of linking mediation with economic investment to achieve lasting results. He called for market-driven partnerships over traditional aid models and stressed the need for international cooperation to ensure technology serves as a tool for peace rather than division.
