The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) proudly announces the inauguration of Prince Abimbola Olashore as its 19th President and Chairman of Council. The inauguration, held at a grand dinner in Lagos, marks a pivotal milestone in his leadership journey and signals a renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria–UK trade relations and advancing intra-African commerce.
Prince Olashore, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors of Olashore International School, brings decades of experience in finance, governance, and international business to his new role. His appointment reflects the Chamber’s confidence in his ability to steer the organization into a new era of innovation, collaboration, and economic transformation.
The inauguration dinner was attended by key government officials, business leaders, diplomats, and international partners. The event highlighted the Chamber’s role as a bridge between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, fostering trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, former Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, and former President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Benedict Oramah delivered goodwill messages, underscoring the importance of trade diplomacy, infrastructure, and innovation in unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the historic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, noting that total trade between the two countries in 2024 stood at £7.5 billion. Of this, UK exports to Nigeria amounted to £5.3 billion, while imports from Nigeria stood at £2.2 billion. Despite these figures, Nigeria ranked only 37th among the UK’s trading partners, accounting for 0.4 percent of its total global trade.
“These figures remind us that while progress has been made, the true potential of our partnership remains far from fully realized,” Sanwo-Olu said. He described Lagos as Nigeria’s economic heartbeat and a compelling destination for global capital, pledging his administration’s support for initiatives that strengthen trade mechanisms and attract strategic investments.
Former Minister Babatunde Fashola highlighted the role of infrastructure in boosting trade, citing projects such as the Lagos-Badagry expressway, the Abidjan-Senegal highway, and the trans-Saharan highway as transformative investments. He noted that facilities like the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Dangote Refinery are redefining trade logistics and energy supply, urging stakeholders to protect these early shoots of development with commitments to law and order.
Benedict Oramah stressed that while deglobalization is disrupting global supply chains, Africa’s trade-driven transformation remains inevitable. He called on African leaders to embrace sacrifice and responsibility, noting that NBCC members could form the nucleus of leadership required to push economic transformation forward.
The inauguration also drew strong endorsements from international partners. Sarah Howard, Chair of the British Chambers of Commerce, described Olashore’s leadership as timely and pivotal, affirming her commitment to strengthening Nigeria–UK trade and investment in 2026.
Johnny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner, highlighted the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which allows over 90 percent of products to enter the UK duty-free. He urged both nations to embrace enhanced trade partnerships, identify barriers, and work collaboratively to resolve them.
Prince Olashore’s inauguration signals a new era for the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the Chamber will continue to champion innovation, support small and medium enterprises, and advocate for policies that enhance competitiveness. His vision aligns with the Chamber’s mission to foster sustainable prosperity through trade, investment, and collaboration.
The Olashore community extends heartfelt congratulations to Prince Abimbola Olashore on this remarkable achievement. His inspiring leadership at the helm of NBCC is a source of pride and a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s economic future.
