By Vivian Emoni
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has reiterated its dedication to strengthening policy advocacy and driving sustainable economic growth across the country.
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of the ACCI, disclosed this at an Interactive Forum with its National Policy Fellows (NPF), on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme was, “Shaping Policy Driving Prosperity: The National Policy Fellow Role in Nigeria`s Economic Transformation’’.
Obegolu said the fellowship had become a cornerstone of the chamber’s commitment to recognising thought leadership and professional excellence.
He said since the inauguration of the first and second cohorts in 2024 and 2025, the programme had gained prominence, adding that its insights were critical to promoting trade, innovation and investment.
According to him, fellows are selected from academia, industry, entrepreneurship, civil society, public service, legislative policy and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development.
“The fellowship will strengthen the bridge between knowledge, industry and policy.
“The diversity reflected the expertise required to foster sustainable economic growth. The fellowship is more than an accolade, but a platform for collaboration and strategic policy intervention,’’ he said.
The president said the initiative supported the chamber’s mandate and Nigeria’s broader economic development agenda, adding that the forum reinforced ACCI’s vision of celebrating impact and inspiring future innovators and entrepreneurs.
He noted that the ACCI would establish a dedicated communication platform for fellows, noting that the platform would facilitate engagement, knowledge sharing and contributions to chamber initiatives.
He also encouraged fellows to submit policy statements to the ACCI Journal of Commerce and Industry.
He said that fellows’ roles extended beyond recognition to influencing Nigeria’s economic narrative, while reaffirming ACCI’s role as a catalyst for national economic development.
Obegolu congratulated the fellows, describing them as distinguished professionals advancing Nigeria’s economic and entrepreneurial landscape.
He, however, urged the fellows to continue inspiring growth and prosperity across Nigeria.
Mr Agabaidu Jideani, Director–General of the ACCI, described the forum as a reflection of the chamber’s commitment to intellectual leadership and strategic collaboration.
Jideani said the National Policy Fellows platform recognised distinguished professionals shaping Nigeria’s development landscape and advancing innovative solutions for trade, investment and competitiveness.
He added that the forum was designed to deepen engagement, foster knowledge exchange and strengthen the bridge between policy and enterprise, urging fellows to sustain their commitment to excellence and service.
Dr Idi Hong, second Deputy President, ACCI, also Chairman of the National Policy Advocacy Centre, said that the NPF drive evidence-based advocacy to strengthen Nigeria’s economic governance.
According to him, beyond research, fellows bridge policy and practice. They translate business realities into reforms addressing structural and regulatory bottlenecks, engage diverse stakeholders, and monitor implementation to assess measurable impacts on businesses and society.
He said that fellows should prioritise easing business constraints, promoting export diversification, supporting MSMEs, and advancing inclusive finance and champion digital growth, skills development, infrastructure, and targeted social safety nets.
“Nigeria’s transformation demands deliberate policy design, strong advocacy, and collaboration. The programme must align policy with business needs, stabilise the economy, empower enterprises, create jobs, and build a resilient, prosperous future,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NPF is an initiative that brings together experts from academia, industry, and government to develop evidence-based, actionable policies aimed at solving Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges.
It fosters cross-sector collaboration to drive national economic growth and improve the business environment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
