Permanent Secretary Commits Ministry to Stronger Partnership with ACCI, Backs 21st Abuja International Trade Fair
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Chris Osas Isokpunwu, has pledged to strengthen the Ministry’s collaboration with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), describing the Chamber as one of the outstanding Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria. He made the commitment when the President of the ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN represented by the 2nd Deputy President of ACCI, Dr Aliyu Idi Hong, led a delegation of the Chamber on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. The visit was aimed at congratulating the Permanent Secretary on his appointment and deepening the existing relationship between ACCI and the Ministry.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, Dr Hong congratulated Dr Isokpunwu on his appointment and described the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as a strategic ministry for the Chamber, given its critical role in shaping policies on trade, investment and industrial development. He said ACCI was committed to working with the Ministry as a partner in progress, rather than competing with it or its agencies, stressing the need for the private sector to be carried along in government policies and programmes. “We want to be seen as brothers in progress,” Dr Hong said, emphasising the Chamber’s desire to contribute meaningfully to national economic development.
He also highlighted the various intervention platforms of ACCI, including the Business Entrepreneurship, Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, which provides entrepreneurship, skills and human-capital development support; the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), which generates and nurtures policy ideas while supporting evidence-based advocacy; and the National Centre for Dispute Resolution, established to provide alternative mechanisms for resolving commercial disputes. He noted that these Centres position the Chamber as a practical partner to government and businesses in addressing challenges affecting enterprise development and the business environment.
The ACCI delegation further invited the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry and its agencies to actively participate in the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF), scheduled for September 25 to October 6, 2026, at the Abuja International Trade Fair Complex, along the Airport Road, Abuja. Dr Hong described the annual trade fair as a major platform for business interaction, promotion, marketing and networking among businesses, government agencies and international business communities.
He said this year’s theme, “Resilience, Trade, Taxation and the Economy,” was deliberately aligned with the government’s aspirations to promote trade, strengthen taxation and expand the Nigerian economy.
Responding, Dr Isokpunwu commended ACCI for its remarkable positioning and described the Chamber as a “Chamber of excellence among the chambers of excellence in the country.” He noted that ACCI’s membership of over 2,500 businesses and its objectives align closely with the mandate of the Ministry and the economic agenda of the Federal Government. He particularly welcomed the forthcoming 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, saying its theme was timely, especially against the backdrop of ongoing discussions and uncertainties surrounding tax laws.
The Permanent Secretary formally accepted the invitation to visit the Chamber and committed to participating in the trade fair, assuring the delegation that the Ministry would continue to work with ACCI as a partner.
He further commended ACCI’s entrepreneurship and skills-development initiatives, describing the BEST Centre as critical to supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which he identified as the engine room of the economy. He encouraged greater collaboration between the Ministry and the Chamber on entrepreneurship, policy development, trade promotion and trade missions, noting that the National Policy Advocacy Centre could serve as an incubation platform for policy ideas capable of strengthening the economy.
The Permanent Secretary also expressed confidence that the Honourable Minister and Minister of State for Industry would make efforts to attend the 21st AITF, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with ACCI. The meeting concluded with the presentation of the 21st AITF invitation and flier, as well as a plaque of recognition, to the Permanent Secretary on behalf of the ACCI President.
Accompanying the 2nd Deputy President were distinguished members of the Executive Committee and Management staff, including Dr Illiyasu Gashibaki, Vice President, Finance; Engr. Lawunmi Ismail, Vice President, Women Development and Gender Matters; Dr Olasetemi Bode Thompson, Vice President, Agriculture; Haji Hauwa Usman, General Counsel; Mr Nnaemeka Nnam Ezekwesili, Executive Director, Abuja Trade Centre; and other members of staff.
Olayemi John-Mensah
ACCI Media & Strategy Officer
