By Felix Khanoba
Governors of Oyo, Zamfara and Katsina States, Seyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal and Dikko Radda, alongside heads of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and other distinguished public and private sector leaders, are set to receive the prestigious Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) Awards of Excellence as the association commemorates its 20th anniversary.
A statement signed by the chairman of the planning committee, Mr. Frederick Idehai, on Tuesday, said the landmark celebration, which will feature a national dialogue and awards presentation, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Executive Hall of Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, commencing at 10:00 a.m.
The event, themed “FG’s $1 Trillion Economy: Role of Policy Makers, Stakeholders and Media in Its Actualisation,” is expected to bring together key actors from government, industry, finance, manufacturing, commerce and the media to deliberate on pathways towards achieving Nigeria’s ambitious economic growth target.
According to the CICAN 20th Anniversary Celebration Committee, the award recipients, including Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina, chief executives and heads of agencies under the FMITI, as well as other notable public and private sector stakeholders, will serve as Special Guests of Honour at the event.
The Committee stated that the awards are in recognition of the recipients’ outstanding contributions to economic development, industrial growth, trade facilitation, investment promotion and the implementation of policies and programmes that have positively impacted Nigeria’s commerce and industry sectors.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment are expected to attend the event alongside regulators, industry captains, manufacturers, investors, development partners and other top players across Nigeria’s economic landscape.
Speaking on the significance of the anniversary, the Committee noted that the celebration marks two decades of CICAN’s commitment to specialised journalism focused on commerce, industry, trade, investment and economic development in Nigeria.
According to the Committee, the Awards of Excellence are designed to recognise and celebrate individuals and institutions whose leadership, innovation and policy initiatives have contributed significantly to national economic growth and transformation.
The Committee added that beyond recognising excellence, the awards will spotlight the developmental achievements of the recipients, particularly in areas such as industrialisation, infrastructure development, investment attraction, enterprise growth and job creation.
It noted that the recognition comes at a period when conversations around governance, leadership and political aspirations ahead of the 2027 general elections are beginning to gain momentum, making the honours a notable endorsement of impactful public service and economic stewardship.
The Committee further stated that the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) has over the years played a strategic role in advancing informed economic discourse, promoting accountability in governance, deepening public understanding of economic policies, encouraging investment awareness and supporting Nigeria’s drive towards sustainable economic growth and national development through responsible and specialised journalism.
The national dialogue is expected to generate far-reaching recommendations on the roles of policymakers, the private sector, development partners and the media in supporting the Federal Government’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.
The event will culminate in the presentation of the CICAN Awards of Excellence to deserving personalities and organisations that have made notable contributions to Nigeria’s economic advancement, industrial development and national prosperity.
