IWD: BACCIMA President, Oladiran, lists efforts to empower female traders

The President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), Alhaji Yahaya Idris Oladiran, says the Chamber, for many years, has championed various efforts to empower female traders, to operate without unnecessary hindrances at border posts.

Alhaji Yahaya Idris Oladiran said the theme of the 2025 International Women’s Day – Accelerate Action – aligns perfectly with the sub-theme of the Chamber – Women in Criss-Border Trade.

Oladiran stated this in his welcome address on Thursday, March 27, 2025 while the Chamber was marking the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) at the secretariat of Badagry Local Government Area, Badagry, Lagos State.

According to him, the theme of the 2025 IWD aligned with BACCIMA’s long-standing commitment to formalizing small-scale informal cross-border trade, championing efforts to empower women traders.

He noted that the Chamber had organized three key workshops, engaging traders and security agencies in constructive dialogue to achieve this.

“This theme is not coincidental – it aligns with BACCIMA’s long-standing commitment to formalizing small-scale informal cross-border trade. For years, we have championed efforts to empower women traders, ensuring they operate without unnecessary hindrances at border posts.

“To achieve this, BACCIMA has organized three key workshops, engaging traders and security agencies in constructive dialogue. A landmark meeting, chaired by former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Amb. Kayode Aluko, saw the election of the Customs Area Comptroller as Chairman and the Immigration Comptroller as Vice Chairman, advancing efforts to formalize cross-border trade along this corridor,” said he.

On the economy of the subregion and the importance of Nigeria, Oladiran said women traders must not be left behind in all the economic opportunities as they could engage in legitimate cross-border trade without being labeled as smugglers.

He said “The Seme-Krake Border Post remains West and Central Africa’s leading trade gateway. Strategically located on the Lagos–Abidjan corridor, it connects Nigeria to Benin, Togo, Ghana, Libya, and even Europe—earning my personal reference as the “Super-Highway to Europe.” Domestically, it links Badagry to Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, and beyond. Our border, located in West Africa is one of the eight (8) recognised Regional Economic Communities (RECS) in Africa, namely:, ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States, AMU: Arab Maghreb Union, CENSAD: Community of Sahel-Saharan States, COMESA: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, EAC : East African Community, ECCAS : Economic Community of Central African States, IGAD: Intergovernmental Authority on Development, SADC : Southern African Development Community.

“Nigeria plays a central role in regional trade as host to ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja. The ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) promotes free movement of people, goods, and services, further reinforced by the emerging African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Women traders must not be left behind in these opportunities. They can engage in legitimate cross-border trade without being labeled as smugglers.”

Concluding, he said “this gathering is about empowering women, helping them navigate trade barriers, understand documentation requirements, and access export markets. This is the future we envision—one where women thrive in cross-border trade without obstacles.”