The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has urged the federal government to sustain economic policies beyond the 2027 elections to support Nigeria’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy.

The first deputy president of ACCI, Adesoji Adesugba, gave the advice after receiving a merit award from the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria for his contributions to commerce and industry, according to a statement on Tuesday.

Mr Adesugba received the award during CICAN’s 20th anniversary celebration, recognising his contributions to commerce, industry and business journalism and called for policy consistency, stronger economic coordination and increased investment in productive sectors to support Nigeria’s ambition of building a one trillion dollar economy.

Mr Adesugba said policy continuity beyond the 2027 general elections is critical to achieving the target, warning that policy reversal remains the greatest risk. He described reliable electricity supply as a major priority for economic transformation, while also advocating stronger fiscal and monetary policy coordination, alongside fair implementation of the new Tax Acts. He called for greater participation by state governments and improved national economic data through a strengthened National Bureau of Statistics.

Addressing the organised private sector, Mr Adesugba urged businesses to move beyond complaints and adopt evidence-based advocacy to influence government policies. He called on financial institutions to expand long-term credit to manufacturing, agriculture and infrastructure, particularly as interest rates ease.

On the media’s role in economic development, Mr Adesugba outlined seven responsibilities for journalists in promoting national growth. According to him, these include explaining economic issues, verifying information, tracking policies, investigating developments and providing balanced reporting,” he said.

Mr Adesugba also urged journalists to report markets responsibly and amplify the activities of businesses operating within the real economy.

He commended CICAN for its commitment to commerce and industry reporting, urging members to sustain professionalism and provide credible, insightful coverage of Nigeria’s business environment.

(NAN)