Our Origins      |   Our Objectives  |   Our Organizational Structure

Our Origins

A General Meeting of US Companies doing business in Nigeria in May 2005, unanimously endorsed the need for an American Business Council (ABC) which, operating like a “think tank”, will focus on policy issues and practical implementation steps in support of Nigerian public and private sector leadership as well as ongoing reform initiatives in the country. It is designed to bring ABC’s Nigerian based resources combined with the US support, to bear on selected issues and reform initiatives that show potential for WIN/WIN results in Nigeria’s quest for stable economic development. It is envisioned that ABC will make a significant impact on the investment environment and Nigeria’s future economic development.

The American Business Council Ltd/Gte, which is also an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, was incorporated by the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission in February, 2007, as a non-profit making company limited by guarantee.
 

Our Objectives

• To promote the development of commerce and investments between the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
   
• To provide a forum in which American business executives in Nigeria and other business executives with American interests may identify, discuss, pursue common interests affecting their activities.
   
• To liaise with the Chamber of Commerce of the United States and other chambers of commerce and institutions pursuing similar objects, and to advocate the views of the American business community in Nigeria to public and private interests in the United States and Nigeria.
   
• To work with individuals and organizations in Nigeria or elsewhere on matters of mutual interest.
   
• To create awareness of Nigeria’s business and investment opportunities in the United States and among the American business community in Nigeria.
   
• To champion the promotion of free trade in goods and services and removal of trade barriers between Nigeria and the United States and use its best endeavours to influence United States’ policies and laws affecting business in Nigeria;
   
• To develop programmes for capacity building and human capital development in Nigeria through such initiatives as structured institutional, communal and individual donation of funds, skills, tools, equipment and materials to the educational, health and other sectors involved in the socio-economic development of Nigeria

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Our Organizational Structure-Committees of the Board and Secretariat

The Board of Directors delegates some of its powers to Standing Committees to assist it in laying down the general policy initiatives and strategies of the company. The following are the initial 5 Committees and their Chairmen.

a)      Finance/Administration-Mr Cyril Odu (Executive Director, Mobil Producing Nigeria)

Development of business plans, budgets and financial reporting for the company, including external auditors.

b)      Legal/Membership-Wole Obayomi (Partner in KPMG)

Registration of company, preparing of bye-laws, membership rules, election process, etc.

c)      External Relations-Dr Imo Itsueli (Chairman/CEO, Dubri Oil)

Development of key relationships with external institutions and stakeholders relevant to the company, and mobilizing support for company’s start up activities, including media relationships, publicity, launching of ABC in Nigeria and US, improving the investment and trade climate for the benefit of US companies and the Nigerian economy as well as supporting the work of the Programmes and Projects Committee.

d)     Programmes and Projects:- Mr Emeka Emuwa (Managing Director,Nigerian

International Bank,Citigroup)

Organisation of business luncheons, workshops, informal briefings, general meetings, and special events, including the launching of ABC in Nigeria and the US under its programmes mandate. It is also responsible for projects ultimately selected by ABC.

e)      Executive Committee-Mr Dick Krammer (Chairman, Capital Alliance Nig Ltd)

This body consists of the President of ABC as Chairman, the Heads of  Standing Committees and the ABC Consultant. It generally supervises and assists the committee in their work.

f)       Secretariat- Pending the setting up of a Secretariat, the overall ABC Consultant

Mr Kunle Olumide and the Financial Consultant, Mr Etta Takon Amba undertake executive functions and are responsible for the day to day running of the organization.

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