ACCI seeks stronger partnership with Ministry of Special Duties, confers National Policy Fellow Honour on Minister
The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs and the organised private sector to promote policy coordination, improve the ease of doing business, and accelerate sustainable economic growth.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Rt. Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, MFR, to the Chamber’s headquarters in Abuja, Chief Obegolu described the visit as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s recognition of the vital role of the private sector in national development.
Welcoming the Minister, the ACCI President highlighted the Chamber’s four strategic centres, which drive its programmes in policy advocacy, entrepreneurship development, dispute resolution, and trade promotion. He reiterated that the Chamber’s foremost interest is the growth of businesses and urged the Minister to advocate for greater government attention to the Idu Industrial Area and the Kwali Industrial Park through improved infrastructure and investment, noting that their development would significantly boost industrialisation, employment, and economic activities within the Federal Capital Territory.
Chief Obegolu also expressed concern over the activities of a purported federal agency currently under public scrutiny, describing the development as troubling for Nigeria’s investment climate. He urged the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the matter and expose those responsible, stressing that allowing fraudulent entities to infiltrate government institutions undermines public confidence and the credibility of the country’s regulatory environment.
The ACCI President further underscored the Chamber’s commitment to evidence-based policy advocacy through its National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC). As part of the visit, the Chamber conferred the prestigious National Policy Fellow (npf) honour on Hon. Jisalo in recognition of his distinguished public service, commitment to strengthening governance and inter-governmental collaboration, and contributions to national development. Chief Obegolu expressed confidence that the Minister’s wealth of experience would further enrich the Centre’s policy engagement and strengthen collaboration between government and the organised private sector.
In their goodwill messages, the First Deputy President of ACCI, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, and the Second Deputy President, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, commended the Chamber’s remarkable transformation into one of Africa’s leading chambers of commerce. They highlighted its world-class business infrastructure, the establishment of the National Policy Advocacy Centre, expanded entrepreneurship and skills development programmes, and ongoing efforts towards establishing a Pan-African Business University. They urged the Minister to champion stronger collaboration between government and the organised private sector, describing ACCI as a dependable partner in national development.
Responding, the Honourable Minister expressed appreciation for the warm reception and the conferment of the National Policy Fellow honour, describing it as a privilege and a call to greater service. He commended ACCI’s sustained contributions to business development, investment promotion, and policy advocacy, noting that the Chamber has continued to play a strategic role in advancing Nigeria’s economic growth.
Hon. Jisalo explained that his Ministry coordinates national honours, monitors constituency and special projects, and facilitates collaboration across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He assured the Chamber of his readiness to work with relevant government institutions, including those responsible for trade, industry, and the Federal Capital Territory, to address issues affecting businesses an
