Keypoints
- NACCIMA President, Mr. Jani Ibrahim, emphasized that Nigeria’s goal of reaching a $1 trillion economy must prioritize inclusiveness and grassroots engagement.
- During a visit to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Thursday, Ibrahim argued that economic growth is only successful if it trickles down to local markets and small-scale entrepreneurs.
- The delegation visited the historic Kurmi Market in Kano to assess “real sector” activities, citing it as a prime example of grassroots commercial power.
- The Emir of Kano, represented by Alhaji Ali Ibrahim, praised NACCIMA’s focus on youth and women empowerment, noting that entrepreneurship is critical for Nigeria’s growing population.
Main Story
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has issued a call for an “inclusive” approach to Nigeria’s ambitious goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
During a high-level visit to the Kano Emirate, NACCIMA President Jani Ibrahim stressed that high-level economic targets must translate into tangible benefits for local businesses and the “grassroots.”
The delegation, which included representatives from across Nigeria and neighboring West African countries, chose Kano as a focal point due to its centuries-old status as a regional commercial hub.
To ground their policy discussions in reality, the team visited Kurmi Market, one of the oldest in Africa. Ibrahim noted that the vibrancy of such markets is the heartbeat of the real sector and must be integrated into national economic planning.
In response, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II (represented by the Matawallen Kano) highlighted the urgency of shifting young Nigerians from “job seekers to job creators.”
He commended NACCIMA’s entrepreneurship platforms, noting that the country’s youthful demographic presents both a challenge and a massive opportunity for wealth creation through organized private sector support.
The Issues
The primary challenge is the “disconnect” between macroeconomic targets and the micro-realities of local traders. While the $1 trillion target looks good on paper, NACCIMA must solve the problem of access to credit and infrastructure for the millions of small-scale entrepreneurs in places like Kurmi Market. Furthermore, integrating traditional marketplaces into a modernized economy requires a delicate balance of preserving cultural heritage while introducing digital tools for trade. As the Emirate suggested, without a clear path for youth development, the “grassroots” will remain a site of high unemployment rather than a driver of the desired $1 trillion growth.
What’s Being Said
- “Our business has a challenge, to move Nigeria to a one trillion-dollar economy… But in doing so, we want that economy to reach the grassroots,” stated Jani Ibrahim, NACCIMA President.
- The Emir of Kano remarked that entrepreneurship programs are “critical,” given the rising unemployment and the need for young people to become self-sufficient.
- Alhaji Usman Hassan-Darma, President of KACCIMA, praised the synergy between the organized private sector and traditional institutions, symbolized by the “durbar procession” held for the guests.
- Economic observers suggest that Kano’s unique position as a gateway to Sahelian trade makes it a vital laboratory for NACCIMA’s inclusive growth model.
What’s Next
- NACCIMA is expected to expand its entrepreneurship platforms specifically targeting youth in northern commercial hubs to build on the momentum of the Kano visit.
- Further advocacy is anticipated regarding the rehabilitation of historic markets to improve their logistics and sanitary infrastructure without losing their cultural essence.
- The organized private sector will likely push for more “sub-national” economic summits in 2026 to ensure that the $1 trillion ambition isn’t restricted to Lagos and Abuja.
Bottom Line
For NACCIMA, the road to a trillion-dollar economy doesn’t start in a boardroom; it starts in the stalls of Kurmi Market. The success of Nigeria’s economic vision depends on whether the government and the private sector can turn “grassroots engagement” from a slogan into a functional financial reality.
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