President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the gallantry of Nigeria’s armed forces in the fight against insurgency and criminality, reaffirming his administration’s resolve to tackle both insecurity and its root causes through institutional reforms and economic growth.
Speaking at the plenary session on Peace and Stability at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), President Tinubu said the resilience of Nigeria’s military offers a foundation for national stability and development.
"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 said.
He noted that inclusivity, diversity, and adherence to the rule of law remain Nigeria’s strongest assets, stressing that peace and stability are essential for Africa’s prosperity. The President cited recent peace deals in the Congo as evidence that innovative mediation tied to economic development could produce lasting solutions.
President Tinubu also urged the international community to embrace “market-driven cooperation and partnerships” over handouts, while calling for urgent reforms of the United Nations Security Council to ensure fair African representation, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.
On technology, the Nigerian leader urged for responsible international collaboration so that innovation becomes a tool for trust and peace rather than division.
Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a $5.5 billion collaborative economic framework for Africa, to be channeled through the African Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He emphasized private sector-led sustainable growth, women and youth empowerment, and regional integration as Japan’s key focus areas.
Prime Minister Ishiba, who acknowledged Japan’s demographic and agricultural challenges, underscored Africa’s potential, driven by its youthful population. “For the power of young people in Africa to flourish, you need to create a manufacturing industry and create employment. That is very important,” he said.
President Tinubu concluded his remarks with an appeal for stronger global partnerships, affirming Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with Japan and other nations in building a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous Africa
