Stakeholders Urge New CIoD President, Directors On Ethical, Adaptive Governance

Folashade Adeniran
Sep, Sat, 2025

General News

Stakeholders urge new CIoD president, directors on ethical, adaptive governance

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

Governance experts, business leaders, and public officials have urged the new President of the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD), Dr Adetunji Oyebanji, along with directors across sectors, to champion ethical, purpose-driven, and adaptive governance.

They gave the advice on Thursday in Lagos at the investiture ceremony of the CIoD 19th president, Chief Adetunji Oyebanji.

In his keynote address, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, Legal Author and Governance Advisor, noted that traditional and centralised models of governance and were becoming increasingly unsuitable in a rapidly changing world.

Ajogwu stated that the future of governance required a radical shift towards purpose driven, ethical, and adaptive leadership.

He said that the new governance philosophy must be ethically grounded, technologically adaptive and institutionally focused.

“Ultimately, the future depends not only on leaders but also on the shared partnership between leaders and followers.

“If Nigeria is to rise and secure its rightful place among nations, both leaders and citizens must accept these truths: to lead with integrity, to build lasting legacies, and to collectively commit to governance that will make the nation proud,” he said.

Governor of Osun, Ademola Adeleke, stated that leadership was not just about holding positions of power, but about inspiring others, driving positive change, and leaving a lasting impact.

Adeleke, represented by Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, added that leadership was also of service, sacrifice, and vision, whether in boardroom or in government.

He lauded the CIoD’s decades of outstanding contribution to the nation’s beauty through the promotion of corporate governance, ethical leadership, and institutional excellence.

The governor described the new CIoD president as a man of conviction, honour, dedication, and selflessness.

He said that the country needed principled and accountable leadership focused on long-term development.

“In charting a new direction for governance, we need leadership that can envision a better future and inspire others to work towards it.

“Our legacy must be institutions that are stronger than individual and as we look to the future, we must recognise that governance is not a static concept.

“Governance in the 20th century requires innovation, technology, inclusiveness, and global competitiveness and this new era calls us to chart a bold direction,” he said.

Adeleke urged directors to leverage technology, uphold meritocracy, and embrace transparency as the foundation of governance.

He said the Chartered Institute of Directors had a vital role to play, mentoring leadership, setting ethical standards, and ensuring the nation’s corporate and governance culture aligned with global best practices.

Prof. Enase Okonedo, Vice Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University, noted the need to make hard decisions hinged on governance as organisations were constantly faced with ethical dilemmas in carrying out their responsibilities.

She said one of the challenges was to instill the courage to act with moral uprightness, courage and fine resolve to enshrine good governance in respective organisations.

Okonedo described Oyebanji’s career as an inspiring story of diligence, professionalism and integrity.

“Rising through the ranks to become Managing Director and CEO of 11 Plc, and serving with distinction in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for more than four decades, he embodies the very values that the CIoD stands for.

“Having worked alongside him as a member of the executive committee of the Lagos Business School Alumni Association when I was a dean, I can attest to his humility, his unassuming nature, but his quiet but firm leadership.

“It is this blend of character and competence that assures us that he will lead the institute with wisdom and foresight,” she said.

Okonedo also urged directors, business leaders and stakeholders, to recommit themselves to the principles of good governance.

In his acceptance speech, the new CIoD president said the guiding principle of his service was encapsulated in the three-point agenda of Implementation, Collaboration, and Engagement, with the acronym I.C.E.

Oyebanji noted that the collaboration aspect would not only elevate the institute’s visibility but would position CIoD Nigeria as the undisputed epicentre of governance and leadership excellence across Africa.

“The path before us is illuminated with possibilities and together, we will march forward under the banner of ICE.

“This is more than a framework; it is a solemn pledge. A pledge to lead with humility and courage, to act with integrity and urgency, and to serve with unwavering dedication,” he said.

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, (Ojaja 11), prayed that the new CIoD president aside being a cultural enthusiast would make a mark in the governance space of the economy.

Ogunwusi also pledged to support the dreams and aspirations of the new CIoD president.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

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