The President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Jani Ibrahim, has said that the Nigerian economy is undergoing a period of structural recalibration that requires serious adoption of new strategies and a workable economic framework.
“The implementation of new tax frameworks, evolving financial regulations, persistent inflationary trends, local security realities and global economic uncertainties, particularly triggered by the recent developments in the Middle East, require that businesses adopt more disciplined, data-driven, and forward-looking strategies,” he said during the chambers’ NEC meeting in Kano on Wednesday.
However, Jani Ibrahim explained at the first-quarter council meeting and Annual General Meeting of NACCIMA held in Kano that while the association has remained active in engagement, the operating environment continues to demand strategic vigilance.
“At the same time, opportunities abound. The African Continental Free Trade Area, the digital economy, the global Halal market, green investments, etc., all present viable pathways for growth. The imperative before us is clear: to translate these opportunities into tangible outcomes through coordinated action, policy advocacy, and enterprise resilience,” he said.
He said that as an association, they must continue to serve as the bridge between policy and practice, ensuring that the voice of business is not only heard but also reflected in national decision-making.
“We must deepen our research capabilities, strengthen our institutional partnerships and enhance the value proposition to our members,” he said.
The NACCIMA president stated that new initiatives are being developed almost daily. Recently, they engaged ODDO-BHF of Germany with the aim of facilitating affordable long-term, single-digit loans for members.
“We thank members of the interim committee set up to actualise this. We are also progressing on the NACCIMA Global, NACCIMA Foundation and the Tree Planting initiatives as already established,” he said.
The programme for Children Out of School (COOS), with a preponderance in the northern part of the country, will be spearheaded by a select committee, he noted.
“Equally exciting and timely is the inauguration of a committee to handle Chamber Development, which will lead to a Chamber Development Fund for the revitalisation of our various chambers for effective programme delivery,” he added.
To consolidate this on the international engagement, he said NACCIMA will be undertaking an ISO 9001:2015 certification programme this year.
This will enhance their Digital Transformation programme, particularly the Trustmark project in partnership with NITDA.
Also on the horizon is the proposed infrastructure conference (INFRACON 2026) scheduled for July 2026. He explained that interested chambers and private sector organisations are encouraged to partner with NACCIMA for this very important summit.
Meanwhile, the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) urged the Kano State Government to appoint individuals with strong private sector backgrounds into key economic positions to boost policy effectiveness and economic growth.
KACCIMA President Usman Darma specifically appealed to Governor Abba Yusuf to ensure that critical ministries, particularly those driving the state’s economy, are headed by professionals with practical business experience.
Darma said such appointments would enhance policy coherence and ensure that government interventions reflect real sector needs.
He noted that strengthening collaboration between government and the organised private sector would improve industrialisation, attract investment, and create jobs.
“In further strengthening public-private collaboration at the sub-national level, we call on the Kano State Government to deepen engagement with the organised private sector by ensuring that key economic leadership positions benefit from individuals with strong business experience,” he said.
According to him, aligning governance with private sector expertise would bridge gaps between policymakers and industry players, leading to more effective economic policies.
The KACCIMA president also reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to supporting government efforts aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth.
