The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s private sector through international trade partnerships, skills development programmes and policy engagement aimed at improving business competitiveness.
Speaking at the association’s First Quarterly Council Meeting held in Kano on Wednesday, Jani Ibrahim, NACCIMA National President, said the organisation has embarked on strategic initiatives designed to position Nigerian businesses for emerging global opportunities.
He explained that the association has increased its participation in policy and economic diplomacy engagements, including a national stakeholders’ forum organised by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), where NACCIMA presented private sector perspectives on fiscal governance and revenue optimisation.
Ibrahim also disclosed that Nigeria secured the hosting rights for the first African Halal Forum following NACCIMA’s participation in the 41st General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, where he was admitted into the organisation’s board.
According to him, the development places Nigeria in a stronger position within the global business ecosystem and could open new corridors for trade and investment.
He noted that NACCIMA has also been expanding capacity-building programmes for businesses across the country, including the ECOWAS Agricultural Training Programme aimed at improving export readiness among enterprises.
The Lagos phase of the programme was completed in February, while the Kano phase is currently ongoing.
The NACCIMA president added that the association is planning a series of breakfast roundtable meetings beginning April 14 in Lagos to facilitate dialogue between the private sector and economic policymakers.
He further announced plans for a Technical and Vocational Education and Training summit scheduled for April 21 in Lagos, which will focus on bridging the gap between industry needs and workforce skills.
The summit, he said, is part of a long-term vision to establish a specialised TVET university in partnership with international development organisations.
Beyond domestic initiatives, Ibrahim revealed that NACCIMA recently led a private sector delegation to Istanbul following a state visit by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Türkiye earlier this year.
During the visit, memoranda of understanding were signed with the Cerkezkoy Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) to support capacity building and train Nigerian engineers in Turkish industries.
He also said the association organised a Nigeria–UK Business Forum at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London during the president’s visit to the United Kingdom in March, aimed at deepening trade and investment relations.
Despite these initiatives, Ibrahim acknowledged that Nigeria’s business environment remains challenging due to inflation, evolving tax frameworks, financial regulations and security concerns.
However, he urged businesses to adopt more data-driven strategies while leveraging opportunities in the African Continental Free Trade Area, the digital economy, green investments and the global Halal market.
“As an association, we must continue to serve as the bridge between policy and practice, ensuring that the voice of business is reflected in national decision-making,” he said.
He added that NACCIMA is also pursuing new financing opportunities, including discussions with Germany-based investment firm ODDO-BHF to facilitate access to long-term single-digit loans for members.
The association is also planning several new initiatives, including an infrastructure summit tagged INFRACON 2026 and a programme targeting children out of school, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Ibrahim stressed that sustained collaboration between government, industry and development partners would be critical to strengthening Nigeria’s private sector and driving long-term economic growth.
