By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The National Coordinator of NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs, Ambassador Dr. Sameera Abubakar Abdullahi, has announced that the first-ever NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs Summit will be held on August 31, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to empower young Nigerians through entrepreneurship and international partnerships.
Speaking to Standard Times Nigeria during the National Youth Congress held at the Rotunda Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Dr. Abdullahi described the upcoming summit as a landmark initiative designed to connect Nigerian youth with regional, national, and global opportunities.
“NACCIMA, through its youth arm, is working to give hope, direction, and real opportunities to young Nigerians,” she said. “We have over 100 chambers of commerce under our umbrella, and the youth chamber is focused on creating access to programs that support entrepreneurship and innovation.”
NACCIMA—the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture—remains the only government-recognized private sector platform with a history as long as Nigeria’s independence. Dr. Abdullahi highlighted its role in facilitating dialogue between Nigeria and international stakeholders. “Just yesterday, we had a foreign business dialogue with nearly 100 ambassadors present. We’re looking at how to link Nigerian businesses, especially youth-led ones, with global markets,” she added.
The organization is also planning a major event for International Youth Day, scheduled for December 3 and 4, which will include discussions on youth achievements, challenges, and strategies for business growth. According to Dr. Abdullahi, the summit aims to map out realistic paths to success for Nigerian youth.
“Young Nigerians are brilliant and ambitious. What they need is guidance, information, and access to an enabling environment to make their dreams a reality,” she emphasized. “We are working with government ministries, funding agencies, and the private sector to identify youth-targeted programs and ensure they are effectively implemented.”
The NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs arm, she explained, has been actively engaging in sensitization campaigns, town hall meetings, and media outreach to spread awareness and gather input from young entrepreneurs. Their presence at events such as the National Youth Congress and the recent NYSC Dialogue reflects their commitment to being part of every conversation involving Nigerian youth.
“We are resilient,” she concluded. “The key to solving our challenges is information. Once we have that, we follow up, we take action, and we deliver results.”
