Emeka Obegolu, president of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), has asked the federal government to set up and expand compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicle conversion centres, and offer targeted subsidies to boost adoption among public transport operators and fleets.
Obegolu, the ACCI president, spoke at the 2025 media parley on national security, ranching reforms, and satellite monitoring for an improved business environment.
The ACCI president asked the government to adopt pro-growth policies that support enterprise, encourage investment, and stimulate productivity.
“With strategic partnerships between the government and the private sector, Nigeria can reduce operational costs, build technical capacity, and accelerate nationwide adoption of CNG and electric mobility,” he said.
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“This transition will not only reduce transportation and production costs but also help stabilise the macroeconomic environment.
“In the long term, shifting to cheaper and cleaner energy sources will help lower inflation and contribute to the government’s target of achieving single-digit inflation.
“To our MSMEs, we reaffirm that ACCI remains your strongest ally. We will continue to amplify your concerns and create platforms that support your growth.”
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In 2025, Obegolu said the ACCI intensified interventions to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity-building programmes, the reactivation of its MSME desk, partnerships with financial institutions, and engagements with regulators.
Looking ahead to 2026, he said the ACCI will introduce initiatives to support MSMEs, including strengthening digital adoption, expanding market access, and accelerating green technology adoption.
Other initiatives listed include enhancing dispute-resolution support and deepening policy advocacy to improve the ease of doing business in the FCT.
As January 2026 approaches, he said the ACCI expects clear guidelines, capacity-building programmes for MSMEs, phased implementation, protection for vulnerable businesses, and responsive feedback channels to support tax compliance and digital reporting.
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The ACCI president said the government’s commitment to redesigning the tax architecture for improved revenue generation is commendable, but economic expansion, not taxation, is the most sustainable path to increased government revenue.
He added that tax policies must achieve a healthy balance between revenue targets and the survival and growth of businesses that create jobs.
Obegolu reiterated the ACCI’s commitment to working with relevant authorities to build a tax system that is growth-oriented, fair, and supportive of enterprise development in the FCT.
In June, Zacch Adedeji, the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), said Nigeria’s new tax laws will take effect from January 1, 2026, under a renamed agency — the Nigeria Revenue Service.
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