By Rukayat Moisemhe

Mr Kayode Falowo, Chairman, Greenwich Merchant Bank, has urged organisations on the importance of multigenerational board composition to enhance innovation, support better corporate governance and drive resilience.

He said this at the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD)2025 Fellows’ Luncheon in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event’s theme was:  “Multigenerational Leadership: Bridging the Gap for a Stronger Board”.

Falowo noted that today’s boardroom composition, made up of baby boomers, generation X, millennials and generation Z, had different strengths, formative experiences and blind spots.

He stated that age-diverse boards outperformed peers by five to 10 per cent in returns.

This output, he said, meant organisations must begin to carry out board composition audit and adopt mentorship programmes for the next generation of leaders.

He said the competitive advantage of generational continuity preserved knowledge, stability, drove stronger stakeholders’ trust and sustained growth.

“Hence the importance of a 180-day action plan on strategies for multigenerational continuity of boards.

“Days one-60 must have an assessment of complete board generational composition analysis, succession vulnerability audit, evaluation of current knowledge transfer mechanisms and identification of highest-priority knowledge preservation needs.

“Days 61-120 would develop target generational composition model, create enhanced board skills/succession matrix, design knowledge transfer protocols for critical areas and draft updated director onboarding/off-boarding processes.

“Days 121-180 includes launch knowledge preservation initiative for highest-risk areas, implementation of bidirectional mentoring pairings, introduction of cross-generational strategic project teams.

“The process must also revise committee structures to optimise knowledge transfer and communicate succession vision to key stakeholders,” he said.

In his remarks, President, CIoD, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo, noted that the event’s theme highlighted a strategic imperative for the future of leadership in a rapidly transforming world.

He said leadership was no longer a static role, but had become fluid, evolving with the tides of economic, technological, and societal change.

Borodo stated that the boards and institutions led by directors must reflect this reality with intention, foresight, and inclusiveness.

He added that true leadership could not be confined to a single generation, ideology, or perspective as every generation had its own values and strengths.

“As fellows, we are uniquely positioned to be the bridge between the past and the future as we understand the foundational principles of governance, yet we also appreciate the changing demands of the modern workforce and society.

“We must embrace our role as conduits of continuity and change—ensuring that as leadership styles evolve, our core values remain intact,” he said.

Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, Chairman, Fellows and Awards Committee, CIoD, said the luncheon was to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of fellows.

Mohammed said their commitment, expertise, and unwavering dedication to good governance serve as a guiding light for the entire business community.

He said the event’s theme spoke directly to challenge facing the corporate world, on the future they sought to create, given the global economic realities.

“The modern boardroom increasingly brings together individuals from different generations, each possessing unique experiences, skills, and outlooks.

“For boards to truly succeed, they must actively cultivate an environment where these diverse viewpoints are not only heard but also integrated to forge a more potent and effective leadership structure,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Aisha Cole

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its innovative “B’Odogwu” Unified Customs Management System, a homegrown solution that enhances trade facilitation and revenue generation.

Its Regional Trade Facilitation Committee (RTFC) of ECOWAS lauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for championing the initiative.

The commendation was made during the RTFC’s visit on Tuesday to the Port and Terminal Multi-Service Ltd. (PTML) customs command in Lagos, which served as the pilot location for the B’Odogwu system’s implementation.

Mr Kolawole Sofola, ECOWAS Director of Trade, who led the delegation, also praised Adeniyi and the PTML command for the remarkable achievements in trade facilitation and revenue collection since the project’s inception.

The ECOWAS director, who led the team to learn about the activities of the command and get deeper insight into recent NCS activities, added that Nigeria was making gains with the deployment of modern innovations.

Sofola explained that NCS was doing a great job in enabling economic growth through trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling.

He also lauded Controller of PTML, Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, for deploying the technology to achieve greater productivity and increasing revenue collection.

“On behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, as well as the Commissioner responsible for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, I congratulate Comptroller Daniyan and his management team for the great work that they are doing.

“The comptroller is not only generating revenue but also stopping smuggling activities as well as promoting trade facilitation.

“We came here to learn as a regional trade facilitation committee, consisting of all ECOWAS member states and we are very glad to have noted a very good practice in Nigeria. What Nigeria has been doing is evolving with the times.

“Nigeria have moved from one system to another until finally moved to this current system called B’Odogwu which is homegrown. The Nigeria Customs is doing well in promoting economic growth across the commands,” he said.

In his response, Area Controller of the PTML Command, Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, told the committee that the command collected over N230 billion using the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) B’Odogwu, in platform since November 2024 to May 22.

Comptroller Daniyan revealed to the committee that B’Odogwu project was initially launched in a pilot phase at PTML command adding that the customs management had rolled out the project in 34 commands across the country due to the success story on B’odogwu.

He noted that B’Odogwu platform was unique in the sense that it was a home-grown application which was developed by the NCS officers in conjunction with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP).

The PTML boss said the command now operates a two-hour cargo clearance.

He attributed the achievement received so far from B’Odogwu to the level of compliant at the RoRo terminal saying that the clearance time would be reducing as the command keeps improving on its operations.

He stated that under the guidance and encouragement of the CGC Adeniyi that there had always been constant sensitisation, training and capacity building, not only for officers, but for all stakeholders such as bankers, terminal operators, and everyone involving in the use of the project.

“B’Odogwu replaced the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) that was used. As you know, with any new thing, there is a challenge, especially with technology.

“We are going to have glitches and issues, but the uniqueness of this platform is that it is a home-grown application.

“We give kudos to our CGC because the spirit and the vision in him is what he has given to us by drinking of that fountain of innovation. He is a great innovator and a visionary for these projects,” he added.

Also speaking at the meeting, The B’Odogwu Project Manager, Assistant Comptroller Oyindamola Oladepo, while delivering a presentation on the application, gave the history of how the project was initiated.

He said that N5.6 billion was realised from the platform in a day.

According to him, on average, the command has achieved port clearance in less than six hours.

He further explained that B’Odogwu integration aligns with the Comptroller-General’s core agenda: consolidate, collaborate, and innovate customs operations to enhance trade facilitation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

By Ese Williams

No fewer than 6,000 delegates have converged on Abidjan for the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group’s 2025 Annual Meetings.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a key highlight of the meetings will be the election of a new AfDB President to succeed Dr Akinwumi Adesina, whose second five-year term ends on August 31.

The event, which will officially open on Tuesday, marks the opening of strategic discussions with the theme: “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.”

Participants include African Heads of States and Governments, Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society representatives, among others.

The theme calls for stronger mobilisation of Africa’s vast human, financial, and natural capital to drive inclusive growth, economic transformation, and sustainable development across the continent.

According to the event programme obtained by NAN, the meetings come amid major shifts in global trade, with 47 African countries affected by new U.S. tariffs and adjustments to development financing flows.

“In this context, participants are expected to deliberate on strengthening regional markets, deepening value chains, and positioning Africa as a self-sustaining global player.

“Sessions throughout the week will address financing infrastructure, climate action, food security, digital innovation, and private sector engagement.’’

NAN reports that outcomes from the meetings will help guide policy frameworks, partnerships, and investment strategies that reflect Africa’s evolving economic landscape. (NAN)(www.nannwws.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi