The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has called on the diplomatic community to support Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda, emphasizing the need for stronger global partnerships to drive investment, trade, and industrial growth.
NACCIMA’s National President, Dr. Jani Ibrahim, made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday at the association’s inaugural Economic Diplomacy Dialogue, held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his keynote address, Ibrahim described the event as a “new dawn in strategic partnership” between Nigeria’s organised private sector and the international community. He said the dialogue was aimed at deepening collaboration with foreign missions to accelerate private sector-led growth in line with the Federal Government’s 8-Point Agenda and its $1 trillion economy target.
“To realise inclusive economic growth, we must engage more deliberately with diplomatic stakeholders,” Ibrahim stated. He proposed a Private Sector-Diplomatic Dialogue Framework, joint working groups on trade and digital economy, and systems to monitor progress.
He also announced plans to host an Investment Summit on December 2–3, 2025, to attract capital into key growth sectors.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to diplomacy-driven economic growth. He emphasized Nigeria’s pragmatic approach to international engagement, aimed at creating employment and boosting value chains.
“We want to produce enough to feed ourselves and export,” Tuggar said, adding that Special Economic Zones and regional development authorities were central to Nigeria’s industrial revival strategy.
Tuggar noted that Nigeria’s energy transition will remain inclusive of its hydrocarbon resources and urged embassies and foreign businesses to invest in Nigeria’s evolving economy. “It’s not enough to sign agreements. We need real engagement,” he said.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Salaheddine Ibrahima—represented by Lebanon’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Houssam Diab—praised President Tinubu’s reforms and described Nigeria as “a country of unfathomable opportunities.” Diab also disclosed Lebanon’s plans to establish a bilateral business council with Nigeria.
Also speaking, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole—represented by Special Adviser Patience Okala—reiterated NACCIMA’s central role in shaping Nigeria’s trade policy, including its leadership in reviewing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation. She announced the launch of a new air cargo route linking Nigeria with 13 African countries, and plans for the country’s first national export trading company in partnership with Afreximbank.
