Expert Tasks Company Secretaries, Boards On Ethical, Responsible AI Use

Tosin Kolade
Jul, Thu, 2025

Economy/Business

Expert tasks company secretaries, boards on ethical, responsible AI use

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

A former Minister of Communication Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson, has urged company secretaries and corporate boards to take leading roles in establishing robust Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance frameworks.

Johnson, a Senior Partner with TLcom Capital, made the call on Wednesday in Lagos at the Investiture Ceremony of the 30th President of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Mrs Uto Ukpanah.

The ex-minister and ICT expert said that establishing robust Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance frameworks would ensure its safe use in Nigeria.

She said that AI governance frameworks must uphold transparency, accountability, and human oversight while balancing innovation with compliance and ethical responsibility.

Noting that there had been cases of an algorithm bias present in AI, she said organisations must have more vigilant boards and an appropriate AI governance structure to identify and mitigate possible risks during use.

“It is clear that if AI is going to play a central role in our future, how we manage it must just be as sophisticated as the technology itself.

“To balance innovation with responsibility, the board must strengthen its oversight, ensuring that AI is deployed to align with organisation’s values, mitigates risks and complies with relevant regulations and ethical standards,” she said.

Johnson urged company secretaries to, when necessary, publicly disclose major AI issues, uses, and the safeguards around it, develop clear AI ethics policies and ensure that boards do not forego the human element.

In her valedictory speech, the outgoing President, ICSAN, Mrs Funmi Ekundayo, said the tremendous privilege to serve as president had been humbling and uplifting, challenging and transformative.

Ekundayo listed some of her administration’s achievements to include promotion of corporate governance in public and private sectors, and strengthened partnership with regulatory authorities.

She added that the institute began the building of its national secretariat during her tenure, secured linkage agreements with reputable institutions, enhanced publicity projections and a host of others.

She, however, noted that challenges of membership size and lingering stereotypes that confined ICSAN to secretarial functions still lingered.

“The passage of the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria (CGIN) Bill, which seeks to rebrand and reposition the institute, is a vital part of that journey, and I remain hopeful that this noble aspiration will soon be realised,” she said.

Ekundayo commended ICSAN, its corporate partners and all stakeholders for their contributions to her administration’s success.

She expressed absolute confidence in the leadership of her successor, Ukpanah, describing her as a woman of substance that was principled and equipped with the leadership depth required to move ICSAN to greater heights.

“I have no doubt that she will consolidate on the gains we have made and chart new territories in the growth of ICSAN and I encourage every member to give her their full and unwavering support,” she said.

In her acceptance speech, Ukpanah said that the tenure of the pioneer female president of the institute, Mrs Funmi Ekundayo, was remarkable, bold, brilliant and impactful.

Ukpanah noted that the outgoing president led ICSAN with great foresight, navigating the tides of change with clarity and strength.

She noted that the fact that two women were succeeding one another affirmed ICSAN’s commitment to gender inclusion, meritocracy, excellence and flourishing of talent regardless of gender.

She stated that her tenure’s theme: “Expanding the Scope of Developments, Building on Legacy of Visionary Leadership”, was not merely a slogan; but a philosophical and strategic call to action.

Ukpanah said her administration would amplify existing initiatives while exploring new terrains that challenged comfort zones and awakened the latent potentials of the community.

“We will prioritise continuity, but we will also innovate, preserve heritage, yet remain receptive to disruption.

“With deep feeling of humility and remarkable sense of purpose, I hereby formally accept the mantle of leadership as the 30th President and Chairman of the Governing Council of ICSAN for the next two years,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives of Lagos and Akwa Ibom state governors, stakeholders of the business community and captains of industries expressed confidence in Ukpanah’s abilities to lead successfully.

They urged her to champion the tenets of good corporate governance across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.(NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

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