The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA) has inaugurated Mr Ashamu Sewanu Fadipe as its third president, succeeding Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, whose two-year tenure ended with a call for the new leadership to consolidate the chamber’s achievements and strengthen business development.
The investiture and handover ceremony, held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Hunwaji Hotel and Suites, Badagry, Lagos, brought together business leaders, government representatives, traditional rulers, entrepreneurs, farmers, cross-border traders and representatives of other chambers of commerce.
The event also attracted representatives of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), alongside stakeholders in hospitality, agriculture, trade and investment.
Delivering his valedictory address, the outgoing president, Idris, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for guiding his administration over the past two years. He also thanked NACCIMA President, Engr. Dr Jani Ibrahim, the association’s executive council and members for their support, which he said contributed significantly to the achievements recorded during his tenure.
Idris said his administration had elevated BACCIMA’s profile nationally and internationally through engagements with the CCI Benin Chamber of Commerce and other chambers across West Africa.
He highlighted the organisation of BACCIMA’s maiden trade fair in May 2026 at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex as one of the major milestones of his administration.
Other achievements, according to him, included advocacy for the commencement of the Badagry Deep Sea Port, engagements with Eko Electricity Distribution Company and other stakeholders over unreliable power supply, and collaboration with security and regulatory agencies at the Seme border to improve cross-border trade and formalise informal trading activities.
Idris also cited the establishment of the BACCIMA cooperative, the Invest Badagry initiative in partnership with the Badagry Local Government Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Hunwaji, and collaborations with the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Nigerian French Language Village and the Lagos International Trade Fair Management.
He added that the chamber conducted capacity-building and business-enlightenment programmes in partnership with organisations including the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), PORTBIZ, NEPC and CCI Benin.
The outgoing president attributed the accomplishments to the cooperation of the executive council and members, particularly the chamber’s women’s wing.
In his remarks, NACCIMA’s Second Deputy President, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, who represented the national president and chaired the ceremony, commended Idris for his performance and efforts to raise BACCIMA’s profile within Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He urged Fadipe and the incoming leadership to build on the foundation laid by the outgoing administration and sustain the chamber’s growth.
NACCIMA President, Engr. Dr Jani Ibrahim, also stressed the need for effective business advocacy, constructive engagement with policymakers and practical support for businesses, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Ibrahim noted that Badagry’s strategic location along the Lagos–West African corridor and its proximity to the Republic of Benin presented significant opportunities for cross-border trade, logistics, investment and regional economic cooperation.
Olawale-Cole further identified Badagry’s coastal resources, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, hospitality and emerging creative economy as key sectors capable of driving economic development in the area.
The ceremony formally ushered in Fadipe’s administration, with stakeholders expressing expectations that the new leadership would strengthen BACCIMA’s advocacy role, deepen regional partnerships and promote investment and enterprise development in Badagry.
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