Niran Odufayo
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has called on both public institutions and private organizations to strengthen governance frameworks as a strategic path to achieving sustainable national development, economic stability, and institutional accountability.
Outgoing ICSAN President and Chairman of Council, Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, made this call on Tuesday during her valedictory media briefing in Lagos. She emphasized that sound governance practices must be institutionalized at all levels to restore investor confidence, ensure public sector efficiency, and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
“Corporate governance must no longer be treated as an option but as a necessity—particularly in a country like ours that is seeking to reposition itself economically,” Ekundayo stated.
Mrs. Ekundayo, who concludes her two-year tenure this July, urged policymakers, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders to embed transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership into their operational cultures. According to her, effective governance remains one of the most powerful levers for national development and institutional trust-building.
She announced that ICSAN will inaugurate its 30th President, Miss Uto Ukpanah, FCIS, and new Vice President, Mr. Francis Olawale, FCIS, at a formal investiture ceremony scheduled for July 23, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
Reflecting on her tenure, Mrs. Ekundayo described her leadership as one of “purposeful continuity and structural consolidation,” noting that ICSAN had made progress in positioning itself as a governance thought leader both locally and globally.
Among the institute’s major initiatives is the development of a ₦3.5 billion ICSAN Secretariat Complex, designed to serve as a national hub for governance training, policy research, and stakeholder engagement.
She also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges—such as inflation, high unemployment, and infrastructure gaps—but maintained that the country’s economic fundamentals remain strong. She identified sectors such as fintech, telecoms, and trade as growth drivers that could be better leveraged under improved governance environments.
Mrs. Ekundayo reaffirmed ICSAN’s commitment to supporting national development through advocacy, research, and training, especially in areas that strengthen institutional transparency and service delivery.
“We will continue to offer our expertise to governments at all levels to deepen public sector governance and promote accountability,” she said.
She urged business owners—especially small and medium enterprises—to formalize governance structures early, warning that informality often leads to unsustainable practices.
As she prepares to hand over leadership, Mrs. Ekundayo expressed full confidence in the incoming administration and urged members and stakeholders to remain steadfast in upholding the institute’s core values of professionalism, diligence, and national service.