ACCI Holds 2025 AGM as President Highlights Major Achievements

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has announced the completion of its Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, which is now ready for commissioning by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochi Udeh.

The Chamber has also finalized arrangements for the establishment of the ACCI African Continental University, following a successful inspection visit by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, disclosed these developments while presenting his scorecard during the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Chamber held in Abuja.

According to him, upon assuming office, he unveiled a vision focused on infrastructure renewal, trade facilitation, capacity building, professionalization of the Secretariat, expansion of global partnerships, and repositioning of the ACCI brand. He expressed satisfaction that substantial progress has been recorded across all these areas.

Chief Obegolu noted that work on the ultramodern shopping complex advanced significantly during the year, with construction nearing completion. He described the project as central to the Chamber’s plan to stimulate business activities around the ACCI and create a vibrant commercial ecosystem.

He added that the ACCI Office Complex also recorded steady progress, with construction reaching the third floor of the proposed four-storey building. The complex, he said, is designed to provide modern office spaces that will enhance operational efficiency and accommodate strategic partners, with completion targeted for before the end of the first quarter of 2026.

On the Conference Centre project, the ACCI President explained that the consultant engaged for the project was unable to secure the required equity partners. To avoid placing a financial burden on the Chamber, he said a new consultant may be engaged on a strictly success-based arrangement, where payment will only be made upon the delivery of concrete results.

Speaking on the proposed ACCI African Continental University, Chief Obegolu said the institution is envisioned to provide world-class learning opportunities focused on research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership training across Africa. He described the successful NUC inspection visit as a major milestone, during which the Chamber presented its institutional framework, infrastructure, curriculum model, and multilingual instructional plan.

He said the Chamber is currently awaiting the NUC’s official report and remains optimistic that the university will soon receive the necessary approvals to commence operations. According to him, the initiative represents a bold step in expanding ACCI’s footprint across Africa and positioning Abuja as a hub for continental learning and academic innovation.

Chief Obegolu further highlighted the renovation of the Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, Trade and Convention Centre as one of the Chamber’s most visible achievements. He said the facility has been transformed into a world-class venue and hosted over 20 major events in the year under review, generating revenue of ₦147,292,625 from conferences, exhibitions, and social events, including weddings.

He also revealed that following his official visit to the People’s Republic of China, the Chamber successfully signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

According to him, ACCI hosted several foreign missions, delegations, embassies, and investors during the year, which boosted investor confidence, expanded international opportunities for members, and strengthened partnerships with institutions such as the EU Delegation, ECN, NIPSS, NILDS, GIZ, NADDC, BOI, SEC, NASRDA, and Clean Tech Hub. These collaborations, he said, supported joint advocacy, technical programmes, and stakeholder dialogues.

The ACCI President also listed several high-impact fairs, expos, and conferences organized during the year to promote trade facilitation, sectoral development, and international engagement. These included the 20th Abuja International Trade Fair, which attracted increased participation from local and foreign exhibitors and reinforced ACCI’s status as a regional trade hub.

Other events included the second edition of the FARMFATECH Expo, which advanced discussions on agro-technology, mechanization, and food system innovation while connecting farmers, investors, and technology providers; the African Space Economy Conference, hosted in partnership with NASRDA, which showcased opportunities in space technology and economic development; and the second International Railway Conference and Exhibition, co-hosted with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and De-Sadel Consortium, focusing on infrastructure financing, logistics, public-private partnerships, and innovation in the railway sector.

He also mentioned the Abuja Business Tax Laws Town Hall Meeting organized with the Federal Inland Revenue Service to sensitize businesses on Nigeria’s new tax reforms scheduled to take effect in January 2026; the Energy Efficiency Campaign developed in collaboration with the Energy Commission of Nigeria, GIZ, BOI, Afreximbank, CBN, and the Rural Electrification Agency; and the launch of the Talk Policy with NPAC YouTube series, aimed at simplifying public policy issues related to financial scams, regulatory risks, and consumer protection.

On staff welfare, Chief Obegolu said the Chamber approved targeted salary adjustments for staff earning below a certain threshold in response to the rising cost of living, noting that the measure was intended to preserve dignity, motivate performance, and enhance workplace stability.

He added that membership growth remained steady throughout 2025, with the Chamber enrolling 113 new members across priority sectors. According to him, these achievements reflect the growing relevance and appeal of ACCI’s programmes and engagements, although he stressed the need to further expand the Platinum Membership base to enhance sustainability and impact.