Activities of Different Industrial Association in Relation to Entrepreneurship

An Industrial association can be defined as an association that supports and protects the rights of a particular industry and the people who work in that industry.

Industrial associations lobby and urge governments or its agencies to take stronger action on things affecting their members or their line of interests. Modern industrial associations were formed to provide the needed supports and enabling environment to promote the growth of entrepreneurship culture.

Industrial Associations

These include:

1. Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI)

This association was established in 1978 to cater to the needs of the Small
Scale business industrialist through the provision of Socio-politico economic support for the members. It has numerous functions as follows:

• The body organizes workshops, conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs, study tours and also provides advisory services to the members.
• It was to provide information on sources of raw materials, market situations, plants and equipment, and the required manufacturing standard.
• The body grants micro-credit facilities to members and sometimes stands as sureties for bonafide small and medium enterprises (SME) in their relationship with development finance institutions.
• The association links up its members with various opportunities and development assistance both at home and abroad.
• The body serves as the mouthpiece of members in advocacy capacity against unfavorable public policies.

2. National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME)

NASME is a private sector organization in Nigeria that brings together Small and Medium Scale enterprises (NASME) across the country. It was registered in 1996 as a Business Membership Organization (BMO) to coordinate and foster the promotion of Micro  Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. It is devoted to networking, capacity building; policy advocacy, and promotion of the performance of its member firms and operators. It works consistently to improve the welfare of its members.

3. Nigerian Association of Chambers Of Commerce, Industry, Mines And Agriculture (NACCIMA)

NACCIMA was founded in 1960 as a voluntary association of manufacturers, merchants, miners, farmers, financiers, industrialists, trade groups who network together for the principal objectives of promoting, protecting, and improving the business environment for micro and macro benefits. The body performs many functions.

• It provides a network of national and international business contacts and opportunities.
• It promotes, protects, and develops all matters affecting commerce, industry, mines and agriculture, and other forms of private economic activities by all lawful means.
• It promotes, supports, and opposes legislative and other measures affecting commerce, industry, mines, and agriculture in Nigeria.
• It contributes to the overall economic stability of the community.
• It encourages an orderly expansion and development of all segments of the community.
• It contributes to the social, political, and economic development of Nigeria.

4. Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN)

This was formed as a company limited by guarantee to perform important roles on behalf of its members as well as the development of the country. It sectoral groups include food, beverages, and tobacco, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, domestic and industrial plastic, rubber and foam, basic metal, iron and steel and fabricated metal products, pulp, paper and paper products, printing and publishing, electrical and electronics, textile, wearing apparel, carpet, leather and leather footwear, et cetera. The Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) performs so many functions.

• It encourages a high standard of quality for members’ products through the collection and circulation of useful information and the provision of advice.
• It encourages the patronage of Nigerian-made products by Nigerians and by consumers in foreign countries.
• It develops and promotes the contribution of manufacturers to the national economy through the government.
• It provides the manufacturers in the country with information on industrial, labor, social, legal, training, and technical matters.

5. Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA)

It is the umbrella organization for the employers association of Nigeria and was founded in 1959 with its memberships drawn from the private and public sector employers associations. It performs many roles in Nigeria.

• It promotes and encourages any technical or other forms of education for the development of employees.
• It assists in the maintenance and promotion of good relations between members and their employees.
• It encourages the payment of equitable rates of wages and salaries to the employees.
• It promotes influences, modifies, or seeks the appeal of legislative and other resources affecting or likely to affect the employers.

Small and Medium Enterprises Agencies of Nigeria (SMEDAN)

This is a “One-stop shop” for micro small and medium enterprises development. SMEDAN was established by the SMEDAN Act of 2003 to promote the development of the MSME Sector of the Nigerian economy. Its mission is to facilitate the access of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs/investors to all the resources required for their development.

These industrial associations provide increased support for entrepreneurial development in the forms of training, logistics, and funding for their members.

Emerging entrepreneurs are therefore encouraged to join any of these associations in order to access the numerous benefits they provide.

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