NACCIMA

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, popularly referred to by its acronym ‘NACCIMA’, is a not-for-profit organization registered under Nigerian law as a company limited by guarantee.

NACCIMA, apart from being the leader of the Nigerian organized private sector is the umbrella body for the various affiliate member Chambers of Commerce within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Association’s membership is voluntary and includes city, state, bilateral/multilateral Chambers of Commerce, business/ professional associations and corporate bodies.

The first attempt in Nigeria to commence the Chamber of Commerce movement dates to 1888 when the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established. A Chamber of Commerce as a voluntary association of businessmen did not really begin to grow in any significant form in Nigeria, until after the end of the British colonial rule. Thus, by 1960 when Nigeria attained political independence there were only about six Chambers of Commerce in existence in Nigeria.

Despite the few number of Chambers of Commerce operating in Nigeria before independence, the business community had already began with a strong urge to come together and form a central body to enable it contribute effectively to the development of the Nigerian economy.

Accordingly, in April 1960 NACCIMA was incorporated under the name, Association of Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria and the Southern Cameroons. By April 1963, the name of the Chamber was changed to Association of Chambers of Commerce and Mines of Nigeria. The Chamber went further in 1972 at its AGM in Ibadan, where it agreed in principle to change its name to the present form; Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), and the decision was brought into effect in 1975. Up till 1978, NACCIMA had only about a dozen members, reflecting the relative slow rate of Chamber development in Nigeria. Between that date and 1998 however, the membership of the Association had undergone a rapid increase in numbers to 56 members.

This improved membership has an even geographical spread in the context of the 36 states structure of Nigeria. By 1999, the membership structure which formerly embraced city/state and bilateral/multilateral Chambers was reviewed to embrace the additional class mixed system of memberships, business/professional bodies, trade groups and corporate organizations. By the beginning of the 21st Century, the membership of the Association had expanded to over sixty members.

Among the past presidents of the Association are: Mr. G. A. Dawson, Mr. F. F. Turton-Hart, Late Chief S. L. Edu, CON, Late Chief Henry Fajemirokun, CON, Late Chief Adeyemi O. Lawson, CON, Chief John Akin-George, OFR, Late Dr. N. E. Okeke, OON, Engr. Ahmadu Rufai Mohammed, MON, Chief Matthew Origbo, OON, Chief Kola Daisi, CON, Alhaji Umaru Shehu Ndanusa, OON, Nze Clement O. Maduako, MFR, Chief John A. Odeyemi, MFR, Dr. Ignatius Ijegwa Adaji, OON, Dr. Simon Chukwuemeka Okolo, MFR, Dr. Herbert Ajayi, OON, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, MON, Chief Bassey Edem, MFR. Hajia Saratu Iya Aliyu is the current President.

Since its inception, NACCIMA has grown into a colossus, an organization of great significance within and outside Nigeria. It has become the most effective and efficient organ through which the organised private sector businesses in Nigeria influence government programmes and policies on a wide range of issues affecting trade, commerce, agriculture, mining and industry. NACCIMA is recognized as an integral business partner of the government of Nigeria in fostering economic growth and development by several statutes which recognize NACCIMA and empower it to nominate representatives for appointment to the boards, councils and committees of several government agencies.