The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD Nigeria) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical leadership and sustainable enterprise across the country, following the successful conclusion of its 2025 Annual Directors’ Conference (ADC) in Abuja.
Held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, the two-day event, themed “Leading Through Change: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Enterprises,” brought together Nigeria’s leading directors, policymakers, regulators, and entrepreneurs for strategic discussions on corporate governance, leadership, and innovation in an era of economic transformation.
Declaring the conference open, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described the ADC as a vital platform for advancing governance dialogue and enterprise reform. He commended the Institute for its role in promoting responsible leadership, stressing that effective governance is essential to Nigeria’s sustainable development.
“Leadership during transformation is not about maintaining the status quo but about charting bold, forward-looking paths,” the President said, adding that the current reforms are designed to lay the foundation for long-term prosperity and inclusion.
In his welcome address, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIoD Nigeria, Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, reaffirmed the Institute’s role in shaping directors who lead with integrity and purpose. He urged business leaders to strengthen their commitment to sustainability, innovation, and accountability as key drivers of national progress.
The keynote address, delivered by Dr. Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, titled “Nigeria and Africa’s Leadership Moment: From Boardroom to Nation-Building,” challenged directors to extend their influence beyond their organizations and contribute actively to nation-building. He noted that Africa’s growth potential depends on transparent governance, inclusive policies, and innovation-driven leadership.
The conference also featured insights from top figures in government and business, including Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack; Non-Executive Director of Julius Berger Plc, Mrs. Gladys Talabi; Chairman of Gerrard Capital Advisory, Mr. Kunle Elebute; and Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Romi.
At the Government Meets Business Dinner chaired by Lady Ada Chukwudozie, Chairperson of Keystone Bank, participants emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between public and private sectors to drive inclusive growth. Lady Chukwudozie described governance as “the unseen infrastructure that sustains enterprises,” urging leaders to treat sustainability as a core investment.
Also speaking, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, member of the Presidential Fiscal and Tax Reforms Committee, called for policy stability and integrity to boost investor confidence and economic growth.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s corporate governance framework and fostering a culture of ethical leadership. Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, Chairman of the National Organising Committee, described the event as “a catalyst for translating ideas into action,” noting that synergy between government and business remains essential for sustainable enterprise.
Reiterating the Institute’s core mission, CIoD President, Otunba Oyebanji, emphasized that directors must see themselves as key drivers of national transformation. “We are not just directors of companies; we are directors of Nigeria’s future,” he declared.
