The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is set to celebrate its 65th anniversary with a grand gala dinner, featuring His Excellency, Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, as the Special Guest of Honour.

The prestigious event will take place on April 12, 2025, at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the red carpet reception commencing at 5:00 PM.

The highlight of the evening will be the inauguration of Alhaji Sheriff Balogun as the 20th President of NACC.

Alhaji Balogun will also unveil his leadership team, while outlining strategic initiatives to strengthen bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and the United States.

As part of the evening’s programme, 40 new members will be inducted into the chamber, and the NACC multi-storey building project will be officially launched.

The gala will also honour outstanding Nigerian and American companies and distinguished individuals, including past presidents of the chamber, for their contributions to economic growth and trade relations.

The President of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Mr. Samaila Zubairu, will chair the event.

Dignitaries confirmed to attend include Governor Uba Sani  of Kaduna State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Founder and Chairman of Elizade Group, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo and Chairman of Odu’a Group, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru.

Others are Founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, Chairperson of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited, Catherine Uju Ifejika, Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and Chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, Leo Stan Ekeh.

His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, will serve as the Chief Host of the occasion.

For 65 years, the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of fostering bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and the United States, serving as the premier platform for business growth, networking, and investment opportunities.

The Chair of the Planning Committee, Dr.Ikenna Nwosu, says all the guests will be treated to one of the grandest anniversary galas ever experienced in the country.

In a meeting with Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal at the State House in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu emphasized his administration’s dedication to creating a conducive environment for business growth, particularly in the telecom sector. The President stated that Nigeria’s regulatory framework for telecommunications would be revised to align with global best practices, with a strong focus on safeguarding infrastructure.
During the meeting, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the confidence and readiness demonstrated by Mittal and his delegation. He highlighted the fruitful discussions held during the recent visit of India’s Prime Minister and reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to learn from successful global models. “I am grateful for your openness, readiness, and confidence, which moved us very close to the Prime Minister of India. When he was here, we discussed things at length,” said the President.

He further assured that Nigeria is prepared to adopt policies that have proven successful elsewhere, particularly if they contribute to economic growth. “The entire ecosystem will be further examined, and if there is anything we can copy from India, we are ready to do so. We are prepared to learn. We are not ashamed of copying what is working in other climes,” he said, emphasizing the critical need to adopt revolutionary strategies that benefit the nation. Tinubu added, “It is for the good of all of us, and Nigeria is so critically important that we must give attention to those revolutionary intentions that can make business work. I am pro-business, and I will continue to be that. I can give you that assurance.”
The President also spoke on the importance of ongoing tax reforms in fostering a more investor-friendly climate, pledging to work with tax administrators to encourage growth and create opportunities.

Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, thanked President Tinubu for his continued support of the telecom industry. Tijani specifically highlighted the President’s recent approval to classify fiber optic and undersea cables as critical national assets, a move expected to enhance the sector’s growth. He confirmed that the National Security Adviser’s office has already started enforcing this protection.

Mittal commended the President for the impactful economic reforms he has undertaken, drawing parallels between Nigeria’s current transformation and India’s economic resurgence in the early 1990s. Reflecting on India’s struggles at the time, Mittal noted, “When you took office, you made some promises. Given the country’s situation, I was unsure how deep and far you could take your commitments.” He compared the reforms in Nigeria to those that had propelled India into one of the largest economies in the world, saying, “The duties went down, the rupee was floated, and it depreciated significantly. Relicensing happened, and it was the dawn of a new world in India. We just moved forward.”

He praised Tinubu for his resilience and decisive actions, such as floating the naira and removing the petrol subsidy, both of which had significant economic impacts. “I feel that what you have done here is unprecedented in a challenging time. Only people of resolve and steel can endure this huge pressure, floating the naira, which moved from N450 to about N1900 and is now coming back to N1400 to N1500. It has been a remarkable achievement celebrated by the entire world. This was much required, and you delivered on your promises,” he said.
Acknowledging the tough decision to remove the petrol subsidy, Mittal added, “The second one was the removal of subsidy, which was a very tough decision for any politician. It was unpopular and difficult, but you held your position, knowing fully that not doing it would not help the country. You have taken a long-term position. It is my belief and hope that you have created a legacy for yourself. Your first term as President will mark a watershed in the development of your country.”
He concluded by urging more Nigerians, especially those with substantial financial portfolios abroad, to invest back into the country. He noted that many local businesspeople are now feeling more optimistic and ready to invest, echoing his experiences in India. “I have been speaking to people in Nigeria, friends and business people, and they are all now feeling calm, and when they start to get back, they will move very fast. I have experienced this in India,” he stated.
The exchange highlighted President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting policies that ensure long-term economic growth and sustainability, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for investment.

The 3rd annual workshop on ECOWAS Energy Information System is underway in Lagos, bringing together representatives from ECOWAS member states, ECOWAS specialised energy agencies (WAPP, ECREEE) and ECOWAS Directorate of Energy and Mines to enhance energy data management and integration across the region.

The four-day workshop, running from 25 to 28 February 2025, aims to reinforce Member states capacity, and improve the quality of energy data at national and regional level in order to address challenges in gathering energy statistics on supply, usage, and availability in West Africa.

The ECOWAS Energy Information System (ECOWAS-EIS) was launched on 24 March 2023 in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, to ensure the reliable collection, storage, and dissemination of energy data. ECOWAS developed this digital platform to better guide policymakers, investors, and researchers with accurate energy information.

Speaking at the opening event, the Director of Energy and Mines at the ECOWAS Commission, Dabire Bayaornibè, highlighted the progress made in harmonising energy data collection.

He noted that before the implementation of the ECOWAS-EIS, many member states lacked access to comprehensive energy information. Now, data on electricity access, energy production and consumption, energy infrastructure, energy efficiency etc. are available, enabling effective monitoring and planning.

“In previous years, several member states struggled to track energy usage and outages. Today, through ECOWAS-EIS, we are improving access to accurate data, enhancing national energy information systems, and strengthening regional integration,” Bayaornibè said.

Nigeria has already set an example by launching its National Energy Information System (NEIS) in October 2024 following a support from ECOWAS Commission through development of the computerized data collection system and training of national actors. The system provides real-time energy data, aiding the government and private sector in decision-making.

Bayaornibè stated that ECOWAS aims to replicate Nigeria’s success across other member states.

The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Energy Utilisation & Management, Engr. Mohammed Adam Mundu, described the workshop as a crucial step in consolidating three years of effort towards a unified ECOWAS Energy Information System.

“The first workshop, held in Accra, Ghana, in 2022, provided an assessment of our energy information system. Côte d’Ivoire hosted the second edition in 2023, leading to improvements in data quality. This third workshop in Lagos now focuses on consolidating our progress and expanding the system across Member States,” he said.

Guinea-Bissau’s Director of Energy Planning and Statistics, Mohammadu Saido Baldi, emphasised the importance of knowledge sharing.

He noted that learning from the experiences of other nations would help improve Guinea-Bissau’s national energy database.

“A well-structured energy information system is essential for developing informed policies and achieving long-term energy security,” Baldi stated.

The ECOWAS Energy Information System workshop aligns with Priority Action 1.6 of the updated ECOWAS Energy Policy, which aims to improve governance and performance in the energy sector by enhancing data access and harmonisation.

The initiative also supports the development of the West African Power Pool and the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, further strengthening regional energy integration and economic growth.

By ensuring a consolidated and reliable regional energy information system, ECOWAS is reinforcing its commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.