President Bola Tinubu has lauded Nigeria’s armed forces for their success against insurgency and criminality, while emphasising his administration’s commitment to addressing the root causes of insecurity.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, Tinubu stressed that military victories must be complemented by courageous governance that tackles the underlying drivers of conflict.
During a session on peace and stability, Tinubu asserted that Nigeria’s greatest strengths lie in its inclusivity, diversity, and rule of law.
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He described the recent momentum of the armed forces as a crucial springboard for national stability and development.
The President also advocated for a new approach to conflict resolution in Africa, citing recent peace agreements in the Congo that directly link mediation with economic investment.
He stated that this model demonstrates the need for innovative thinking to achieve lasting peace.
Tinubu used the opportunity to urge Japan to support the campaign for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council.
He argued that Africa’s demand for fair and equitable representation is just, insisting that the continent deserves two permanent seats with veto power, along with additional non-permanent seats, as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
He also called for international cooperation to ensure technology promotes peace and trust rather than division.
In his opening remarks, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a new collaborative economic framework with the African Development Bank, committing a maximum of $5.5 billion to Africa.
The funds will be disbursed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to catalyse private sector-led growth, with a focus on youth and women empowerment and regional integration.
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Ishiba also appealed to African nations for assistance as Japan grapples with a declining population and shrinking agricultural land.
He highlighted Africa’s growing youthful population as a significant potential asset, urging for greater industrialisation to create jobs and realise this demographic dividend.
