The Nigerian delegation to the 9th Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS) failed to participate in the conference and were seen returning back to the country with flat screen televisions, FIJ has learnt.

The conference held from June 22 to 24, with over 100 countries, including South Africa, Chad, Uganda, Zambia, Congo, Namibia and Nigeria invited. However, while delegates from other countries participated and made presentations at the conference, the Nigerian delegates were nowhere to be found.

Cheta Nwanze, the lead partner at SBM Intelligence, told FIJ he attended every session at the conference except the one that had to do with the Western Hemisphere in which he had gone for his COVID-19 test. He however found that he was the only Nigerian at the actual conference.

The conference had presentations from ministers of defence of various countries, such as Zimbabwe, Sudan, Algeria, Mauritania, Congo, China, Guinea, Russia, Belarus, military heads, and Russia’s President, Vladmir Putin.

“Given the calibre of people in attendance, and the kinds of presentations that were given, it would have been great if Nigeria had attended,”Nwanze told FIJ.

“South Africa’s delegation was large. So were delegations from a few other African countries, China, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, and a number of Asian and South American countries.”

Nigeria has been battling with a decade year war with Islamic extremist sect, Boko Haram. The country has also faced more security challenges in the past few years with an increase in kidnapping across the northern part of the country.

Cheta noted that while he was checking in at Moscow, he met the person who collected a Russian visa at the same time as he did. “I saw the chap who collected a Russian visa at the same time as I did, along with two other guys. I assume they are the Nigerian official delegation. They all checked in large flat screens TVs.”

At the conference, where a session was dedicated to Africa, no Nigerian delegate was around. Nigeria borders Chad and Niger, two countries that are greatly affected by the instability in the Sahel region.

“I can’t help but feel that Nigeria has missed an open goal by not being here. What the f**k is wrong with us? I saw two Nigerian officials receiving visas when I went to get mine. I should have taken their names. Gosh!”