Tinubu hails Nigerian Armed Forces at TICAD9; Japan pledges $5.5bn for Africa

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday praised Nigeria’s Armed Forces for their successes against insurgency and criminality, while urging deeper reforms to address the root causes of insecurity.

Speaking at the plenary session on Peace and Stability at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, Tinubu described the current momentum in the military as “a springboard for national stability and development.” He, however, cautioned that military gains must be matched with strong governance and economic transformation.

“Our brave armed forces can win any number of battles, but we do justice to their heroism only when government is courageous in tackling not just terror, but also the causes of terror,” the President said.

Tinubu also called for market-driven partnerships instead of traditional aid models, stressing that peace and economic growth must go hand in hand. He further urged Japan and other partners to back reforms at the United Nations, including the allocation of two permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council.

During the summit, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a $5.5 billion collaborative framework for Africa through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the African Development Bank. He said Japan’s focus would be on private sector-led growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.

The Nigerian leader highlighted ongoing infrastructure investments, institutional reforms, and cooperation with civil society as part of efforts to raise living standards. He also cited peace agreements in Congo as proof that mediation tied to economic incentives could yield sustainable results, urging “fresh thinking” in addressing conflicts across the continent.

Prime Minister Ishiba, referencing Japan’s declining population and shrinking agricultural land, emphasized the need for closer ties with Africa’s youthful workforce to build manufacturing capacity and improve productivity.

The TICAD9 summit continues with bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening economic, security, and development partnerships between Africa and Japan.