Presidential Aides Visit Kisarazu, Designated As Nigeria’s Hometown In Japan

Presidential aides Bayo Onanuga and Temitope Ajayi paid a visit on Friday to Kisarazu, a Japanese city recently designated as Nigeria’s hometown in Japan.

Their trip followed the close of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), where Japan announced Kisarazu as a settlement hub for Nigerians.

Sharing his experience on X, Onanuga highlighted the city’s connection with Nigeria, noting that it hosted the country’s Olympic team during the Tokyo 2021 Games.

“After the closing ceremony of TICAD9, we went on a voyage of discovery to Kisarazu, the town the Japanese have designated as Nigeria’s hometown.

“Nigeria’s Olympic team camped here in 2021. The video shows the city centre, where the Mayor Watanabe’s office is also located,” he wrote on Saturday.

KanyiDaily recalls that Japan made the decision on Thursday to recognize Kisarazu as the hometown for Nigerians interested in living and working in the country.

The move is part of Japan’s plan to strengthen cultural ties, boost economic cooperation, and expand its workforce.

In a statement on Friday, Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, explained that the initiative includes the creation of a special visa program.

The visa will target highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who wish to move to Kisarazu for work and residence.

Oladunjoye also revealed that artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria will be eligible, provided they are willing to upgrade their skills to meet Japan’s labor needs.

Meanwhile, the United States Mission in Nigeria has directed all visa applicants to submit details of their social media activity from the past five years.