Nigeria–Canada Partnership Gains Momentum as ACCI Hosts Key Development Stakeholders

By our Correspondent

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has received a seven-member delegation from the Embassy of Canada in Nigeria, led by Arash Irantalab, Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation at Global Affairs Canada, alongside representatives from UNICEF Generation Unlimited, to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership on key development initiatives.

Welcoming the delegation, the First Deputy President of ACCI, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, described the Chamber as a leading and reputable business organization in Nigeria and the foremost Chamber in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a membership base of about 4,000.
He explained that the Chamber operates through a structured leadership system, where the Executive Committee (EXCO) and the President provide strategic direction, while the Director General, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, oversees the Secretariat and manages day-to-day activities.
Prof. Adesugba further highlighted the Chamber’s four operational Centres: the Abuja Trade Centre, responsible for trade fairs, trade missions, and business-to-business engagements; the Dispute Resolution Centre, which handles alternative dispute resolution for businesses; the Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, focused on training and capacity building; and the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), which drives policy advocacy and promotes pro-business policies. He noted that all these Centres operate at a national level.
In his remarks, the Director General stated that ACCI operates through over 16 sector-based trade groups, covering areas such as agriculture, ICT and digital economy, transportation, and healthcare, among others.
He also invited the Canadian delegation to participate in the upcoming Abuja International Trade Fair, scheduled to hold from September 26 to October 6, 2026, noting that the event would offer a platform to showcase their projects and engage with a wider audience.
The Director of the BEST Centre, Dr. Tinuke Temitope, emphasized the Centre’s ongoing collaborations with both international and national partners, including TFO Canada and GIZ. She highlighted initiatives in climate action, technical skills development, and youth empowerment, including the Green Entrepreneurship Programme, which has trained over 400 young entrepreneurs and provided seed funding of $5,000 to selected startups.
Representatives from UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited initiative also shared insights into their programmes, which focus on youth empowerment, skills development, and job creation. These initiatives span sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, hospitality, and green entrepreneurship, aiming to equip young people with both technical and soft skills while creating employment opportunities.
Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of Generation Unlimited at UNICEF Nigeria, stated that discussions focused on leveraging development assistance to boost private sector engagement, attract Canadian expertise, and support youth development in Nigeria. She emphasized the critical role of partnerships in addressing unemployment, population growth, and sustainable development challenges.
The meeting also explored opportunities for Canadian businesses across key sectors, including ICT, education, clean technology, oil and gas, mining, and agriculture. Both parties stressed the importance of mutually beneficial trade relationships, increased private sector participation, skills development, and job placement.
Prof. Adesugba highlighted Nigeria’s growing population and the need for strategic planning to support youth development, job creation, and economic growth. He underscored the importance of partnerships in building a sustainable ecosystem that promotes entrepreneurship and wealth creation.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from both sides to strengthen collaboration through follow-up engagements, focusing on actionable projects, investment opportunities, and long-term partnerships aimed at driving economic development and reducing poverty.