Nigeria–Vietnam Chamber to boost youth entrepreneurship

Nigeria–Vietnam Chamber to Boost Youth Entrepreneurship

The Nigeria-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NVCCI) has announced plans to actively integrate youth-driven start-up stakeholders with innovative and disruptive ideas into its development agenda, aiming to build a sustainable ecosystem that fosters youth contribution and innovation.

This resolution was reached at the 2026 NVCCI Business Meeting held in Lagos on 27 March, overseen by the chamber’s President, Oye Akinsemoyin.

According to the communique issued after the meeting, the chamber intends to leverage collaboration among government agencies, private sector players, and international partners to create a “game-changing, enhanced and lasting youth-driven contribution ecosystem.”

The NVCCI emphasized its commitment to incorporating youth-led startups with distinctive disruptive initiatives into its strategic planning to encourage the infusion of new ideas and creative solutions.

The initiative aims to lay the foundation for a durable and impactful youth engagement platform through this collaborative developmental effort.

In addition to youth entrepreneurship, the meeting addressed preparations for the forthcoming Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition (VILOG) scheduled for July 2026.

The chamber revealed plans to collaborate with Vietnamese counterparts to organize a strategic seven-day public-private partnership delegation to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from 26 July to 2 August 2026.

Vietnamese partners involved in the collaboration include VINEXAD, organizers of the VILOG trade fair, and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Notably, all Vietnamese counterparts followed the Lagos meeting proceedings via live streaming.

The communique also mandated the appointment of key support roles such as an official travel advisor, protocol officer, tour guide, surface transportation coordinator, financial advisor, and other necessary personnel to facilitate the delegation’s activities.

Furthermore, NVCCI resolved to work closely with professionals from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, identified as the lead government partner in this public-private partnership. The ministry will oversee coordination from inception through implementation under an agreed-upon roadmap in collaboration with NVCCI.

A strategic plan, incorporating input from various stakeholders, will be compiled and submitted to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development for approval.

Stakeholders will also develop funding strategies, timelines, and sponsorship frameworks for the programme, ensuring effective resource mobilization in partnership with the ministry.

Other resolutions included scheduling regular virtual strategic planning meetings and deploying digital tools such as websites to support publicity, registration, monitoring, and evaluation processes.

Speaking on the upcoming Vietnam delegation, President Akinsemoyin stated that the first phase of the visit would take place in Hanoi, where Nigerian and Vietnamese government officials are expected to spend two days discussing bilateral opportunities in the public sector.

The Hanoi visit will also feature a special Nigeria-Vietnam Business Investment Forum. Following this, the delegation will proceed to Ho Chi Minh City to participate in the 4th Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition from 30 July to 1 August 2026.

Akinsemoyin highlighted that the VILOG exhibition will focus on logistics and supply chain management and will also host a mini “Products of Nigeria Exhibition 2026.” He described Ho Chi Minh City as Vietnam’s commercial nerve centre and a major port city.