Dele Oye has exited as Chairman of the Organised Private Sector and President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture.
In a statement from NACCIMA on Thursday, it was stated that after two impactful years at the helm of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, and six months leading the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria, Dele Oye has taken a bow.
It stated, “Since assuming office in June 2023, Oye has been at the forefront of championing private sector growth and reform in Nigeria, leveraging his vast experience, networks, and expertise to drive meaningful dialogue, unlock investment opportunities, and reposition NACCIMA as a key player in economic policy formulation and national development.
“In his long list of achievements are the unification of private sector voices under a cohesive advocacy platform, the expansion of NACCIMA’s membership base, the promotion of trade facilitation policies such as the Single Trade Window, and successful international business missions that attracted significant investment interest in Nigeria.
“Apart from running a balanced budget in the last two years, he set NACCIMA on a solid financial foundation with substantial bank balances running into several hundreds of millions. Known for his unifying approach, Oye brought together fragmented private sector groups, especially in his role as OPSN Chair, forging cohesive policy positions that have amplified the voice of the organized private sector in national economic discourse.”
In a valedictory note highlighting his achievements, challenges, and strategies for navigating the dynamic landscape of Nigeria’s business environment, Oye commended the Federal Government, President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, leaders and members of NACCIMA, the media and all other stakeholders for their support throughout his two-year reign.
Giving an overview of his tenure, Oye said, “Taking on the role of NACCIMA President on June 8, 2023, I encountered a myriad of challenges, internally and externally. At the internal level, there was unusual, unhealthy competition among chambers, such as economic fluctuations, regulatory hurdles, and a fragmented private sector landscape. While daunting, these challenges spurred the radical changes that our Association and its members urgently required.”
Listing key accomplishments during his tenure, he stated, “We witnessed a surge in NACCIMA’s membership, underscoring increasing confidence in our advocacy and collaborative endeavours.
“Through close collaboration with government stakeholders, we supported the government in the launch of initiatives like the campaign for the Single Trade Window Policy, aimed at enhancing trade efficiency.
“Unifying Private Sector Voices: As Chair of OPSN over the past six months, I have prioritized the creation of cohesive policy positions among various private sector groups, resulting in orderly and effective advocacy.
“Our business missions successfully showcased Nigeria as an attractive destination for investment, culminating in discussions that potential investment inflows exceeded several billion dollars.”
Oye identified challenges faced to include confronting Nigeria’s economic instability, characterised by high inflation and diminished industrial capacity.
He added, “I sought to transform these challenges into opportunities. Through constructive engagement with government entities, we facilitated the establishment of frameworks prioritising cooperation over conflict.”
On his impact on the business community during his tenure, Oye noted, “My leadership has concentrated not only on immediate gains but also on encouraging the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s business sector.
“Feedback from our members reveals that NACCIMA has become a more vocal and engaged participant in economic discussions, enabling members to thrive in a competitive landscape. Initiatives such as financial literacy campaigns through our partnership with the Bank of Industry and capacity-building programs for MSMEs have empowered numerous businesses.”
He recommended investing in tech-driven solutions, agric processing, and maintaining strong partnerships with the government to create a conducive business environment.
“NACCIMA should leverage its substantial network of over 100 chambers of Commerce, to stimulate targeted collaborations across industries, enhancing competitiveness while Promoting innovation.”
