Dele Kelvin Oye has concluded his two-year tenure as President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and has stepped down from his role as chairman of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN).
Oye’s leadership coincided with a challenging period for Nigerian industries, marked by naira devaluation, high inflation, and soaring interest rates. Despite these hurdles, he lauded the resilience of Nigerian businesses and assured stakeholders that NACCIMA remains strong and committed to advocating for a better business environment.
Reflecting on his tenure, Oye expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and emphasized the importance of transparency and inclusivity in private sector leadership. He pledged to continue supporting economic growth and sustainable development, even as he moves on from his official roles.
Oye, a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader, also chairs the Nigerian-Turkiye Business Council and holds several other leadership positions in Nigeria’s economic and legal sectors. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter for NACCIMA and the OPS, both of which he helped strengthen through his advocacy and collaborative approach.
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 Ahmed 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 unusually unhealthy competition amongst 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 launching 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 prioritised 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,” he said.
Oye identified challenges faced to include, “Confronting Nigeria’s economic instability, characterised by high inflation and diminished industrial capacity. I sought to transform these challenges into opportunities.
Through constructive engagement with government entities, we facilitated the establishment of frameworks prioritizing 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 advised, “Looking toward the future, I recommend investing in tech-driven solutions for 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.”
Oye further stated, “the past two years have been transformative for NACCIMA. Our collective efforts have set the stage for ongoing engagement, growth, and evolution within Nigeria’s private sector.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone, my colleagues at the Secretariat, our Patron Engr. Rufai Mohammed and all our national live vice presidents, my colleagues at the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria, the newly elected president of NACCIMA and chairman OPSN, Engr Jani Ibrahim (OON) and the 2025-27 executive committee and council, my Colleagues at Oduaccima, Ekiti Chambers of Commerce-on whose Platform I was elected in June 2023, and to everyone who has been involved in this journey—together, let us continue to break barriers and achieve new heights.”
Beyond reorganising the private sector space to make it more inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven, Oye is showcasing the depth and diversity of Nigeria’s business ecosystem as a competitive advantage, bringing in investors and investments.
Through various international business forums, he has exhibited countless investment opportunities to local and global investors, igniting new hope for over 3 million businesses operating within the chambers’ networks across the country.
At the heart of Dele Oye’s mission has been a steadfast commitment to supporting the growth of Nigerian businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the backbone of the national economy. He ensured that NACCIMA, during his time, served as a true enabler of enterprise, opening new pathways for thousands of entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
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