The Nigerian government has retracted an earlier claim that Japan would introduce a special visa programme for highly skilled young Nigerians wishing to live and work in the Asian country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, the government clarified that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) only designated the city of Kisarazu as Nigeria’s official “hometown” under its new cultural exchange initiative — and not as part of any immigration or visa arrangement.
“Correction: JICA Designates City of Kisarazu as Hometown for Nigeria,” the statement read.
According to the clarification, JICA made the announcement on August 21 during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). As part of its “Africa Hometown” initiative, JICA named Kisarazu as Nigeria’s partner city, alongside Nagai for Tanzania, Sanjo for Ghana, and Imabari for Mozambique. The programme seeks to foster cultural ties and strengthen relationships by connecting Japanese municipalities with African nations.
Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to Japan, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, and Kisarazu Mayor, Watanabe Yoshikuni, jointly received the certificate from JICA. Kisarazu had previously hosted Nigeria’s contingent during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the athletes conducted pre-Games training.
However, in an earlier statement released last Friday and co-signed by Oladunjoye, the Nigerian government had erroneously claimed that Japan was establishing a special visa category for Nigerians as part of the partnership.
That claim was dismissed by Japanese authorities, who clarified there was no such visa plan. This prompted Wednesday’s retraction by the Tinubu administration.
