NECA is the umbrella organization of employers in the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria. It was formed in 1957 to provide the forum for the Government to consult with private sector employers on socio-economic and labour policy issues. NECA provides a platform for private sector employers to interact with the government, labour, communities and other relevant institutions in and outside Nigeria for the purpose of promoting harmonious business environment that will engender productivity and prosperity for the benefit of all.

NECA is not a trade union but a dynamic and highly respected professional body registered under the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990 with the following membership structure:


(a) Ordinary Members

These are individual companies or organisations engaged in business or economic activities (manufacturing, distribution, retailing, agriculture, mining, finance, transport, services, consultancy, etc) employing a minimum of 5 workers. They are mainly, but nor exclusively, in the private sector. At present, they form the bulk of NECA members.


(b) Affiliate Members

These are the industrial/sectoral employers' associations, industrial groups or trade associations most of which are trade unions.


In order to provide flexibility and effectiveness, members have been grouped on the basis of common interest into either functional, sectoral or geograhical groups. The sectoral groups are either formal industrial employers associations or informal industrial and trade groups. Members within a state or an industrial/commercial location group themselves into geographical groups to deal with matters of common interest.