The University of Lagos (UNILAG), in partnership with the Centre for Worldwide Personal Enterprise (CIPE), has launched the Affiliation and Chamber Excellence (ACE) Certification Programme to strengthen the management, governance, and sustainability of chambers of commerce and enterprise associations throughout Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme, unveiled on Tuesday, is hosted by the college’s Human Assets Growth Centre (HRDC) in collaboration with CIPE.
In keeping with the organisers, the certification is the primary of its form in Sub-Saharan Africa, designed as knowledgeable coaching platform for executives and managers working in chambers of commerce and enterprise membership organisations.
Talking on the occasion, CIPE’s Government Director, Andrew Wilson, said that chambers and associations are essential to shaping inclusive insurance policies and driving progress on the continent.
“Chambers and associations are the voice of enterprise and the car for shaping inclusive and market-oriented coverage,” Mr Wilson stated.
“The ACE certification just isn’t merely a coaching programme; it’s a complete, immersive certification programme designed for executives and managers of enterprise membership organisations whose position in driving enterprise progress and fostering financial improvement throughout the continent is key.”
Programme’s potential
Mr Wilson added that he’s “thrilled to see ACE taking off in Nigeria,” noting that the programme isn’t just about educating expertise however about empowering leaders “to implement insurance policies, strengthen governance, and remodel their chambers.”
The Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Folasade Ogunsola, stated the programme aligns with the college’s mission to supply capacity-building alternatives that reach past teachers.
“HRDC is the college’s capacity-building hub, and ACE is combining rigorous teachers with sensible coaching. We’re equipping chamber executives and affiliation leaders with the data and instruments they should drive sustainable progress and efficient coverage implementation,” Mrs Ogunsola stated.
The professor added that ACE “is greater than coaching,” it seeks to empower the personal sector to implement authorities insurance policies effectively, guarantee higher useful resource administration, and promote sustainable improvement.
“The advantages prolong past Nigeria to your entire African enterprise ecosystem, supporting commerce and funding partnerships,” she stated.
Professionalising chamber management
Organisers defined that chamber and affiliation administration is handled as a recognised career in lots of developed nations, however stays largely unprofessionalised in Nigeria and throughout a lot of Africa.
ACE is described as the primary structured certification programme of its form within the area, meant to create a benchmark of competence for these managing enterprise associations.
In keeping with Toki Mabogunje, CIPE Senior Affiliation Marketing consultant and Honorary Consul for Tanzania in Lagos, the programme is of excessive worth to chambers and associations.
Mrs Mabogunje, who was the previous President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Business stated ACE is bridging the hole between idea and observe in chamber administration.
She famous that leaders are gaining strategic perception and hands-on expertise that allow chambers to thrive, innovate, and characterize enterprise pursuits successfully.
She stated members will likely be educated in areas together with strategic management, monetary sustainability, communication, membership engagement, know-how adoption, and advocacy.
In keeping with CIPE’s Regional Director for Africa, Lola Adekanye, the programme will run at two ranges: government and managers.
Mrs Adekanye defined that whereas the preliminary cohorts will prioritise leaders and employees from chambers and associations affiliated with the Nigerian Affiliation of Chambers of Commerce, Business, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), it can finally open extra broadly to professionals in search of careers within the sector.
She added that CIPE is ready to launch its Africa regional hub in Lagos on Tuesday, which is able to coordinate the organisation’s work throughout the continent.
Broad personal sector backing
NACCIMA Director-Basic, Sola Obadimu, stated the affiliation, which at present coordinates the Organised Personal Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), will play an enormous position within the programme.
“For chambers and associations, ACE is greater than certification; it’s empowerment and skill-building. The final word beneficiaries are members of chambers and companies themselves,” Mr Obadimu stated.
Representatives of all six geopolitical zones attended the launch.
The OPSN contains NACCIMA, Producers Affiliation of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Affiliation (NECA), Nationwide Affiliation of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), and Nationwide Affiliation of Small-Scale Industries (NASSI).
Organisers additionally famous that they’re guaranteeing ladies’s full participation within the programme, not solely as trainees but additionally as employees and decision-makers.
Lateef Odekunle, Director of HRDC, clarified that the certification is focused at people working in chambers and associations, not chambers themselves.
Mr Odekunle stated members ought to come out with sensible expertise and a change in behaviour and perspective in the direction of managing associations.
He added that the programme will likely be delivered in a hybrid format, combining in-person periods at UNILAG with on-line studying.
He additionally offered 14 ACE College and College Mentors for the programme.
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Regional ambitions
With over 40 years of expertise supporting chambers globally, CIPE stated comparable programmes in Kenya have helped associations strengthen governance, improve membership, and enhance stakeholder engagement.
“By institutionalising ACE at UNILAG, we’re making a long-term platform to develop homegrown consultants who will replicate these successes throughout Africa,” Mr Wilson famous.
CIPE’s World Director of Programmes, Abdulwahab Alkebsi, stated Nigeria was a pure place to begin, being Africa’s largest financial system and a key entry level for commerce on the continent.
“Coverage reforms alone are usually not sufficient; the voice of the organised personal sector is essential. ACE is designed to construct the capability of chambers and associations to function at world-class requirements,” Mr Alkebsi stated.
The primary cohort of ACE is scheduled to start in January 2026 with a 40-hour intensive coaching programme.
Mrs Adekanye famous that the programme will initially begin with grant help and, over time, UNILAG will assist decide charges which are reasonably priced and sustainable with out prioritising revenue.
