The 1st Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, has received a Merit Award from the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) in recognition of his contributions to business journalism, economic development and the commerce and industry sector.
In a statement signed by Olayemi John-Mensah
ACCI Media & Strategy Office said the award was presented during CICAN’s 20th anniversary celebration, marking two decades of the association’s commitment to professional business journalism, economic reporting and national development.
Adesugba, a seasoned journalist and founder of Chamber Telegraph, also delivered the keynote address at the event, where he emphasised the need for policy consistency, stronger economic coordination and increased investment in productive sectors to achieve Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
He identified continuity in economic policies beyond the 2027 general elections as critical to achieving the target, warning that policy reversals could undermine progress.
“The single greatest risk to the trillion dollar ambition is policy reversal,” he said.
The ACCI deputy president described reliable electricity supply as a fundamental requirement for economic transformation, stressing that power remains the master reform needed to drive productivity, industrialisation and sustainable growth.
He also called for improved coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, fair implementation of the new Tax Acts, greater participation by state governments and improved economic data through a strengthened National Bureau of Statistics.
Addressing the organised private sector, Adesugba urged business leaders to move beyond complaints and embrace evidence-based advocacy to influence government policies and decisions.
He further called on financial institutions to expand access to long-term credit for manufacturing, agriculture and infrastructure, particularly as interest rates begin to ease.
On the media’s role in national economic development, Adesugba outlined seven responsibilities for journalists: explaining economic issues, verifying information, monitoring policies, investigating developments, providing balanced reporting, reporting market activities responsibly and highlighting the contributions of the real economy.
He commended CICAN for its commitment to commerce and industry reporting over the past two decades, urging members to sustain professional standards and provide credible,
insightful and development-oriented coverage of Nigeria’s business environment.
The CICAN Chairman, Gabriel Kuma, expressed the association’s appreciation to Adesugba for his continued support, guidance and commitment to its activities.
Kuma noted that having a role model of Adesugba’s calibre would inspire members and strengthen the association’s growth, unity and professional development.
The recognition underscores Adesugba’s contributions to business journalism and economic policy discourse, as well as his continued engagement with stakeholders in Nigeria’s commerce and industry sector.
