Yokohama, Japan — August 21, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience and successes in the fight against insurgency and criminality, while stressing that long-term peace can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of insecurity.
Speaking on Wednesday at the plenary session on Peace and Stability during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, the President said the current momentum in the armed forces represents “a springboard for national development and stability.”
“Our brave armed forces can win any number of battles, but we do justice to their heroism only when government is courageous enough to tackle not just terror, but also the underlying causes,” Tinubu stated.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and the rule of law as key pillars of national strength, adding that ongoing investments in infrastructure, institutional reforms, and economic growth remain central to his administration’s agenda.
Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had outlined Japan’s support for Africa through a $5.5 billion collaborative framework with the African Development Bank, aimed at driving private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.
Tinubu, in his remarks, welcomed Japan’s commitment and called for partnerships built on mutual interest rather than dependence on foreign aid. He also reiterated Nigeria’s support for United Nations reforms, particularly greater representation for Africa at the Security Council.
“It is the view of Nigeria that Africa’s quest for fair and equitable representation in the UN Security Council is a just demand. Africa deserves two permanent seats, including veto rights, as well as additional non-permanent seats, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration,” he said.
The President further underscored the importance of technology as a force for peace rather than division, urging international cooperation to ensure innovation fosters trust and development across the continent.
Highlighting regional progress, Tinubu pointed to recent peace accords in the Congo as proof that mediation linked with economic investment could succeed where traditional models had failed.
“We should be under no illusions about the scale of our task, but neither should we underestimate our successes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ishiba appealed for deeper cooperation between Africa and Japan, noting his country’s own challenges of declining population and shrinking agricultural land.
The TICAD9 conference continues in Yokohama with sessions focused on security, sustainable growth, and Africa-Japan cooperation.
