LCCI gets new president

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has elected Leye Kupoluyi as its 44th 44th President and Chairman of Council, following the completion of Gabriel Idahosa’s tenure, The PUNCH has learned.

Until his election as president, Kupoluyi, an engineer, served as a Deputy President of the LCCI.

He takes over from Idahosa, who was elected on December 7, 2023.

Director-General of LCCI, Dr Chinyere Almona, announced Kupoluyi’s election at the Chamber’s 137th Annual General Meeting held on Thursday at Commerce House, Victoria Island, Lagos.

She said, “Engr. Leye Kupoluyi was elected President after a duly conducted election at the Chamber’s 137th Annual General Meeting.

“Engr. Kupoluyi is an accomplished professional with an exceptional record of leadership, dedication, and service across engineering services, trade promotion, and industry development.”

Almona added that the Chamber is confident his emergence will deepen its role in policy advocacy and business development.

She stated, “We are delighted to welcome Engr. Kupoluyi as President of the LCCI. He has consistently contributed his expertise and provided valuable insights during strategic deliberations.

“We are confident that his presidency will further strengthen the Chamber’s role as a leading advocate for sound business policies and practices.”

The chamber said Kupoluyi’s election reflects its recognition of his commitment to its ideals, policy advocacy efforts, and the promotion of a more competitive environment for Nigerian businesses.

Profile of Kupoluyi

Kupoluyi is a businessman with over four decades of experience in power engineering, facilities management, renewable energy, and commerce.

His career began in 1979 at the Federal Ministry of Communications. He rose through multiple roles at Honeywell Enterprises Ltd. and Witt & Busch Ltd. to become General Manager.

In 1995, he founded Universal Power Systems Nigeria Limited, where he serves as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.

A Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom, Kupoluyi holds an MBA in Technology Management from Olabisi Onabanjo University and completed a Senior Management Course at the University of Manchester.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, a member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (UK), and a member of the Bilateral and Multilateral Committee of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture. He also served on the Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic (now LASUSTECH) from 2015 to 2019.

Within the LCCI, Kupoluyi has held several leadership roles, including Chairman of the Science & Engineering Group (2015–2017), Chairman of the Trade Promotion Board (2021–2023), and Deputy President (2023–2025).

The LCCI added that Kupoluyi led the Trade Promotion Board to accomplish notable feats, including introducing the Tech Hub Project and the 2022 free-entry initiative, which boosted participation and innovation at the Lagos International Trade Fair.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, the LCCI noted that Kupoluyi is active in community and church service and has earned several honours, including the ECOWAS International Gold Award, the Rotary International Entrepreneurship Service Award, and the Gold Award for Excellence in Business Practice.