Business and Economy
NACCIMA President Urges Nigerian Youth to Lead Africa’s Economic Transformation
By our Correspondent
In a landmark appeal to youth enterprise across Africa, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Engineer Jani Ibrahim, has called on Nigerian youth to move beyond rhetoric and take up leadership roles in shaping the continent’s economic future.
“You’ve come of age,” Ibrahim declared during a strategic engagement ahead of the forthcoming Pan-African Youth Investment Forum. “We can’t shelter you forever. As we did with the Women’s Chamber, the youth platform must now grow into a structured, independent force for national development.”
Scheduled for August 30–31 at the NACCIMA Headquarters in Abuja, the Forum—an initiative of the NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs (NYE)—will host 20 select youth leaders from across Africa to co-develop regional economic strategies. It aligns with the African Union’s Youth Connect Conference, which will see the participation of over 190 youth leaders, positioning Nigerian youth at the forefront of the continent’s economic discourse.
This event marks a key milestone in the NYE’s two-year strategic plan, launched by its new National Coordinator, Ambassador Dr. Samira Bokar Abdullahi. She described the shift as a move “from scattered hustle to structured, scalable, and continent-wide collaboration.”
“We are no longer the leaders of tomorrow—we are today’s changemakers,” Dr. Samira told a packed audience. “With the right support, Nigerian youth can spark Africa’s next economic revolution.”
The Forum is only the beginning. The NYE’s 2025–2027 strategy includes establishing a National Youth Chamber of Commerce, a ₦25 million Youth Microfinance Program, and Business Clinics designed “by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.” It also proposes zonal innovation hubs to transform Nigeria’s regions into export-oriented powerhouses—spanning from agri-processing in the North to tech clusters in the South-West.
One of the plan’s highlights is the “One Region, One Program” initiative, which aims to create youth-led, export-ready value chains in every geopolitical zone—from production to global markets.
“This isn’t about aid; it’s about creating value,” said Chinedu Aniabosu, NYE Deputy Coordinator. “And Nigerian youth are ready.”
President Ibrahim emphasized that the era of symbolic youth participation is over, urging ministries and agencies to be held accountable for the execution of youth-focused programs.
“We’re not here for photo ops,” he said. “Let’s document what’s being offered and ensure real follow-through.”
He referenced Nigeria’s recent loss of a €20,000 D-8 youth grant due to weak representation as a wake-up call for systemic reform.
Ibrahim also addressed global perceptions of Nigerian youth, challenging the negative narratives with a bold directive:
“Africa is waiting on Nigeria’s youth to lead. But brilliance without structure is wasted. It’s time to replace the fraud stereotype with a legacy of innovation and purpose.”
He disclosed that ECOWAS, UNDP, GIZ, and several embassies are already in talks with NYE to co-create programs across West Africa—ranging from entrepreneurship to digital and sports innovation. ECOWAS has even offered NYE a youth coordination mandate, contingent upon demonstrated internal capacity and governance.
On a lighter note, the NACCIMA President encouraged youth to leverage Nigeria’s cultural icons to boost their initiatives.
“If you want Rema or P-Square at your launch, go for it. These stars are seeking purpose too. Present your ideas well, and they’ll get behind them,” he said, noting that many celebrities are willing to support impactful causes if approached with sincerity and vision.
Above all, Ibrahim stressed the need for institutional sustainability:
“This is about legacy. In six years, we must be able to say that youth didn’t just host programs—they built institutions, created jobs, and transformed lives.”
With NACCIMA’s full endorsement, the call is clear: the mandate is yours. The moment is now. The future is waiting—ready to be built by those who dare to lead.