His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, mni, the Obi of Onitsha (Agbogidi), has been announced as the Chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) 2026 Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum, a high-level gathering of industry leaders, policymakers and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.

The highly anticipated forum is expected to provide strategic insights into Nigeria’s economic direction, industrial growth prospects and policy priorities for 2026, with a particular focus on strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing, investment resilience and sustainable industrial development.

Igwe Achebe, one of Nigeria’s most respected traditional rulers and corporate statesmen, brings to the forum decades of experience spanning corporate governance, banking, manufacturing, energy and public service. He currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of International Breweries Plc and holds leadership roles across several corporate and institutional boards, reflecting a rare blend of traditional authority and modern business acumen.

Beyond his corporate engagements, the Obi of Onitsha plays an active role in national traditional institutions, serving on the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and as a Trustee of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, where he contributes to dialogue on national cohesion, development and good governance.

His past leadership roles include chairmanship positions at Diamond Bank Plc, Universal Insurance Plc, Intervent Beverages Limited, and the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, as well as board-level experience at Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, where he previously served as an Executive Director.

Igwe Achebe has also made notable contributions to education and human capital development, having served as Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Kogi State University, and as a Trustee of Columbia University, New York. He holds an MBA and is widely regarded for his principled leadership, intellectual depth and commitment to national development.

According to Sir Bankole Aminu E of the NAIP 2026 Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum say his acceptance to chair the occasion underscores the strategic importance of the event and its relevance to Nigeria’s economic future.

With his Royal Chair , the forum is expected to set a strong tone for constructive engagement between industry leaders and policymakers, while offering practical perspectives on navigating economic headwinds and unlocking growth opportunities in Nigeria’s industrial and pharmaceutical landscape.