The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has presented an ambitious proposal to the Lagos State Government for the establishment of a permanent centre for U.S.-Nigeria Commercial Diplomacy in Lagos, in what the Chamber described as a defining legacy project for bilateral trade relations.
The proposal, christened the “Lagos Legacy Project”, was formally presented during a high-level courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Lagos House, Marina.
Led by its National President, Alhaji Sheriff Balogun, the delegation said the proposed national headquarters of NACC would serve as the institutional hub for commercial relations between Nigeria and the United States for the next 50 years and beyond.
Speaking during the engagement, Balogun stressed the historical bond between the Chamber and Lagos State, noting that the organisation was founded in Lagos in 1960, the same year Nigeria gained independence.
“Lagos is not where NACC is located. Lagos is where NACC was born,” he said.
According to him, every major activity of the chamber over the past six decades, including Executive Council meetings, Annual General Meetings and Nigeria-United States Business Summits, has taken place in Lagos.
“Lagos has been our silent partner for six decades. Today, we come with a respectful invitation to formalise that partnership,” he added.
Alhaji. Balogun explained that the proposed centre would become the first destination for U.S. trade delegations, Fortune 500 companies, and commercial missions seeking entry into Nigeria, thereby boosting economic activities within Lagos.
He said the initiative would further strengthen Lagos’s position as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, despite Abuja’s status as the nation’s political capital.
The NACC president also linked the project to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, particularly in the areas of foreign direct investment, tourism, entertainment, technology and SME development.
According to him, the project is expected to create jobs during construction and operational phases, while also supporting hospitality, transportation and event management businesses across the state.
Balogun noted that the centre would help position Lagos competitively against other African commercial hubs such as Nairobi, Kigali, Johannesburg, Cairo and Accra.
The chamber outlined a three-tier request to the Lagos State Government, beginning with the allocation of a 5,000 square-metre parcel of land on a concessionary long-term lease.
It also requested fast-tracked planning approvals and official endorsement to facilitate discussions with international funding institutions including the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, U.S. Export-Import Bank, Afrexim Bank, and the African Development Bank.
The chamber clarified that it was not seeking direct funding from the Lagos State Government for construction of the facility.
“What we ask of Lagos State is the foundation upon which the building will stand, both literally and institutionally,” Balogun stated.
As part of the proposed partnership, the chamber disclosed plans to confer special honours on Governor Sanwo-Olu, including the title of Honorary Life Patron of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce.
The proposed flagship hall within the project is also expected to bear the name “Babajide Sanwo-Olu Hall” in perpetuity.
In addition, the governor is expected to preside over a foundation stone laying ceremony before the end of 2026 and receive a future Distinguished Statesman of Bilateral Commerce Award at a Nigeria-US Business Summit.
At the conclusion of the visit, the chamber presented a commemorative plaque to the governor in recognition of Lagos State’s historic role in fostering U.S.-Nigeria commercial relations.
In his response, the governor described the visit as productive, with discussion focusing on creating opportunities, ease of doing business and strengthening growth.
“I received the Governing Council of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce led by Sheriff Balogun at Lagos House, Marina, where we discussed improving business opportunities and strengthening partnerships for economic growth, ” the governor stated.
Sanwo-Olu also appreciated the chamber for the honour bestowed on him.
“I was also honoured with the title of Honorary Life Patron and reaffirmed my commitment to stronger Nigeria–US commercial ties.”
Members of the delegation included Deputy President, Ehi Braimah; Chairman of the Trade & Investment Committee, Grace Adeyemo; Chairman of the Trade Mission Committee, Dr. Violet Abdulkadir; Chairman of the Agro-Allied Committee, Tunde Temowo, and the Director of Investment Programmes, and Trade Promotion, Femi Bakare.
Also at the meeting were the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ope George; Special Adviser, Media to the Governor, Gboyega Akosile, and Special Adviser, Legal (Governor’s Office), Bukola Odoe.
Established in 1960, the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce remains Nigeria’s oldest and foremost bilateral chamber of commerce and serves as a major institutional bridge between Nigerian and American private sector interests.
