Abuja: The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has appointed Mr. Nwachukwu Okafor as its new National Assembly Relations Executive. Okafor made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Okafor’s appointment was announced in a letter dated June 4. His responsibilities include monitoring legislative activities, bills, motions, and committee proceedings impacting commerce, industry, agriculture, and the broader private sector. He will also organize meetings and strategic exchanges between NACCIMA and the National Assembly and facilitate the association’s involvement in public hearings, stakeholder consultations, and legislative engagements.
NAN reports that Okafor is an accomplished lawyer, serial entrepreneur, business manager, and international development expert. His role will also involve preparing and submitting periodic reports, legislative updates, and policy briefs relevant to the organized private sector. He will advance advocacy initiatives to improve Nigeria’s business and investment environment.
Other responsibilities for the international development and corporate governance specialist include maintaining effective working relationships with principal officials, committee chairpersons, clerks, and relevant departments of the National Assembly. In addition to representing NACCIMA at authorized legislative and policy engagement forums, Okafor holds two master’s degrees: one in law from the University of Lagos and another from the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, in the U.S.
Okafor said that he will assist in developing position papers, memoranda, and submissions on issues affecting the private sector, as well as provide legal services in close coordination with NACCIMA’s legal adviser and undertake any other relevant assignments as directed by the association.
The newly appointed executive attended St. Joseph’s Primary School in Umunze, proceeded to All Saints, and later attended the Federal School of Arts and Sciences in Suleja, Niger. He studied law at Imo University, now known as Abia State University, and graduated with second-class honors in 1989, subsequently being called to the Nigerian bar in 1990.
Throughout his career, Okafor joined the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited in 1993, rising to the position of chief legal officer at the time of the airline’s liquidation. He played a crucial role in setting up subsidiaries of Nigeria Airways Limited, including Sky Power Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL). He also founded several businesses, including Angel Global Trading and Investment Services Limited, Angel Avionics Inc. in Miami, Florida, and Apex Security and Training Company Limited.