About Us
The Institute of Trade Association Management Ltd/Gte (ITAM) was duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on 22nd August 2023 as a non-profit, non-partisan organization. ITAM was established to professionalize, strengthen, and reposition diverse trade associations for enduring relevance, institutional credibility, and measurable economic impact.
Trade and professional associations have historically functioned as the invisible infrastructure of the economy. Collectively, they aggregate millions of micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), shape market behavior, influence regulatory compliance, and serve as the primary interface between public policy and enterprise realities. However, across Nigeria, many associations remain constrained by weak governance structures, limited technical capacity, and fragile financial models. These structural gaps significantly reduce their ability to support economic reform, industrial development, formalization, and inclusive growth.
ITAM exists to address these challenges systemically, sustainably, and at national scale while positioning Nigeria’s association ecosystem (professional, formal and informal sector) to effectively interface with Africa and the global economy.
Nigeria’s Association Industry in our context is aggregated as a unified economic institution that encompasses professional bodies, sectoral associations, export councils, bilateral and multilateral chambers, and informal trade groups, they stand at a strategic crossroads.
Nigeria’s next phase of economic growth will depend not only on sound policy, access to capital, or entrepreneurial innovation, but on the presence of strong intermediary institutions capable of translating reforms into tangible outcomes. From improved adherence to regulations, data-driven decision, AfCFTA readiness, job creation, and governance. Professionally managed trade associations are indispensable. ITAM is therefore conceived not as an event-driven platform alone, but as a technical institution. Its strategic ambition is to become the default technical partner to government, development partners, donor agencies, federations, and the private sector while serving as a national hub for capacity building, institutional reform, and systems strengthening within chambers of commerce industry, professional and trade association ecosystem. The Institute’s mandate is anchored on a clear philosophy of building the institutions that builds the economy.
The manufacturing industry, service industry, employers’ council and employee’s industry can avail themselves of the opportunity of leaning on Institute of Trade Association Management (ITAM) programmes for optimum confidence, efficient performance and sustenance of their laudable endeavors.
Governing Council
The Governing Council is the highest policy and oversight organ of the Institute of Trade Association Management Ltd/Gte (ITAM). It is held by a team of technocrats in diverse industry and space with local and international reputations. It provides strategic direction, ensures institutional integrity, safeguards compliance with statutory obligations, and upholds the vision of advancing professional trade association management in Nigeria.
Structured as a five-member body, the Council reflects ITAM’s commitment to balanced leadership, collective wisdom, and accountable governance.
Mandate and Responsibilities
The Governing Council is entrusted with the responsibility to:
Define ITAM’s long-term strategic vision and institutional direction
Approve annual plans, budgets, and policy frameworks
Ensure financial prudence, transparency, and sustainability
Oversee governance standards across affiliated associations
Provide high-level advisory leadership on national and international engagements
Safeguard the integrity and credibility of the Institute
The Council operates strictly within the provisions of ITAM’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and applicable regulatory frameworks governing incorporated trustees and companies limited by guarantee.
Composition of the Governing Council (Five Members)
The Governing Council comprises:
Chairman of Council
Vice Chairman of Council
Member (Policy & Strategy)
Member (Finance & Audit Oversight)
Member (Institutional Development & Stakeholder Engagement)
The Director-General/Chief Executive serves as Secretary to the Council and reports to it but is not counted among the five governing members.
As Nigeria’s Association Industry continues to evolve within a dynamic macroeconomic and regulatory environment, the Governing Council serves as the stabilizing anchor of ITAM. It ensures that the Institute remains: Strategically relevant, financially sound, Governance-driven, Policy-responsive with nationally impactful
Through its five-member leadership structure, the Council embodies ITAM’s commitment to knowledge, advocacy, research, and meaningful institutional leadership, building the institutions that builds the economy.
Executive Leadership
The Executive Leadership of the Institute of Trade Association Management Ltd/Gte (ITAM) comprises seasoned professionals from academia, science, engineering, and the technical sectors, each with specialized expertise in trade association management, governance, development economics, and public policy. The Secretariat is led by the President/Chief Executive Officer, with the team providing strategic and operational guidance to foster institutional excellence, drive policy engagement, and develop sustainable frameworks that strengthen associations and promote inclusive economic growth.
Executive Leadership Team
