At the peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic in June 2020, Dr. Pedus Eweama, Chairperson of Nigerian Association of Western Australia (NAWA) conceived the idea of bringing isolated Nigerian national community associations together to provide a platform for mutually beneficial networking opportunity and to advocate for the welfare of all Nigerians in Australia in the face of a global threat to humanity. After series of consultations with various Nigerian leaders across the 6 Australian States and 2 Territories and liaising with the leadership of the Nigerian High Commission in Canberra under Ambassador Bello Hussein Kazaure, the idea of a peak forum for Nigerians in Australia was born. Limited by the challenge of border closures and social distancing, the Council of Nigerian Associations Presidents in Australia (CoNAPA) held its inaugural meeting via zoom on September 6, 2020 with the following Nigerian leaders in Australia present:

• Pedus Eweama ( Chairperson, Nigerian Association of Western Australia)
• David Onu (President, Nigerian Community in Tasmania)
• Dozie Ezigbalike ( Interim Chairperson, Nigerian Society of Victoria)
• Gbenga Akinloye ( President, Nigerian Association in South Australia)
• Blessing Agada (Nigerian Community Association of Queensland)

The leaders of Nigerian national associations in Northern Territory (Mr Kingsley Ebelebe), Australian Capital Territory (Barr. Uche Okorie) and New South Wales (Mr. Victor Ifejika) were unavoidably absent. Rev. Fr. Camillus Nwahia who is the President of Nigerian Association of Newcastle in NSW was also unavoidably absent.  It was at this meeting that these leaders agreed on the formation of this council and the importance of developing an inclusive structure upon which CoNAPA can thrive to advance the interest of Nigerians in Australia. It was also at this meeting that it was unanimously agreed that this council will be made up of presidents or chairpersons of Nigerian national associations and headquartered in Western Australia with Dr. Pedus Eweama (WA) as the inaugural chairperson and Dr. Dozie Ezigbalike (VIC) as inaugural Secretary of the council. At a subsequent CoNAPA meeting, it was unanimously agreed upon that vice presidents of the various Nigerian national associations should also be included as automatic members and representatives of the council. Following series of bimonthly meetings, an Article of Association was ratified for the official incorporation of the council as the apex leadership forum for all Nigerian national associations across the 6 Australian States and 2 Territories. CoNAPA is a not-for-profit, community association that represents the voice of Nigerian-Australian community leadership and has unwavering commitment to the welfare and inclusiveness of more than 20,000 people of Nigerian extraction who call Australia home.

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