Business leaders in Nigeria have called on the government to implement reforms that ease trading conditions, reduce multiple taxation, lower energy costs, and improve the overall business environment to foster local enterprise growth and attract investment. The demands were raised ahead of the investiture of the new president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

The 65th NACCIMA Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held in Ilorin, Kwara State's capital, from Wednesday to Friday , marks the first time the association has convened its flagship event in the state in its 65-year history.

The three-day conference will feature the investiture of Engineer Jani Ibrahim, Chairman of LUBCON, as the new NACCIMA president. The gathering underscores Kwara State's emerging role as a hub for business dialogue and policy advocacy, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for systemic changes to boost economic competitiveness and sustainability.

Chairman of the local organising steering committee of the Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA), Engineer Abu Salami, said that the 65th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the association would witness Jani becoming the first Kwara indigene to occupy the position since NACCIMA's establishment in 1960.

"This, therefore, calls for celebration by all Kwarans," he said while speaking with a Punch correspondent in a telephone conversation on Tuesday.

Speaking earlier at a press conference on Thursday, the KWACCIMA chieftain said that President Bola Tinubu and other dignitaries, including the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduyoye; Minister of Defence, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar; as well as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Abdulateef Fagbemi (SAN), would attend the investiture.

Salami also said that the incumbent president of the association, Chief Dele Oye, and other members of his cabinet would attend the two-day event to hand over to the new president and his team, along with presidents and director-generals of all chambers in the country, among other high-profile personalities.

According to Salami, "The election of NACCIMA officers is constitutionally by succession every two years. This arrangement is perfect, and succession makes the transition peaceful and free from rancour."

He added, "Engineer Jani Ibrahim, Chairman and Technical Adviser of LUBCON Limited, is not new to the business world. He was president of KWACCIMA, chairman of CONSCCIMA, and recently the first National Deputy President of NACCIMA for the past two years."

Meanwhile, the business community in the state has called on the incoming NACCIMA president to include ease of doing business in his agenda when he assumes office.

Speaking on behalf of members of KWACCIMA, Salami said the incoming president should address the issue of alleged multiple taxation to help the business community thrive without stress.

The KWACCIMA chieftains, who acknowledged that taxation is used to provide infrastructure and other amenities by the government, said the incoming president should collaborate with the government to ensure a stable business environment.

"As it is, the business climate is not stable. So, the new NACCIMA president should work with the federal government to make the business environment conducive and stable. He should work towards reducing the cost of fuel. The cost of energy is high, and this affects the cost of production and prices of goods and services. Apparently, he should work towards achieving alternative sources of energy.

"We believe that his tenure will expose the Kwara business community and businesses to both national and global markets."