As Nigeria continues to confront gaps in leadership, transparency, and institutional accountability, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has marked its 60th anniversary by taking stock of its contributions to governance under the theme, “Six Decades of Excellence: Shaping Governance, Empowering Futures.”
The anniversary programme, launched recently with the unveiling of the ICSAN @ 60 logo, set the stage for a year-long examination of corporate and public sector governance standards.
In her opening address, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Uto Ukpanah, said the milestone offered an opportunity to assess how professional governance practice has evolved alongside Nigeria’s institutions. She highlighted that professional capacity, technical expertise, and institutional support remain key to bridging leadership and accountability gaps.
During a media session, senior members of the Institute, including Abiola Laseinde and Francis Olawale, spoke on the Institute’s role in shaping governance practices. Laseinde noted that ICSAN was among the first bodies to introduce structured corporate governance education in Nigeria and has trained thousands of professionals now serving in leadership roles across banking, industry, government, and civil society. “Sustainable governance in Nigeria is built on professional training and informed leadership,” he said.
Olawale explained that ICSAN engages institutions through technical advice and collaboration rather than public criticism. He highlighted the Institute’s contributions to developing governance codes for private, public, and non-profit sectors. He further noted that ICSAN had expanded its syllabus to cover public institutions and civil society organisations, ensuring professionals are equipped to meet emerging governance challenges nationwide.
The officials also pointed to ICSAN’s growing international footprint, with Nigerian members holding leadership roles in the Corporate Secretaries International Association and earning recognition for professional excellence globally.
