By Rukayat Moisemhe
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has urged newly inducted chartered secretaries to uphold ethical leadership and strengthen governance as catalysts for national development.
Prof. Veronica Ekundayo made the call on Thursday in Lagos during the institute’s 25th induction ceremony.
The event was themed: “The Chartered Secretary as a Catalyst for Ethical Leadership and National Development.”
Ekundayo, a Professor of Corporate Governance, described chartered secretaries as catalysts that transform governance principles into practice and help organisations achieve sustainable success.
She noted that in chemistry, a catalyst accelerates the right reactions without drawing attention to itself, adding that the same principle applies to chartered secretaries in corporate governance.
According to her, chartered secretaries promote ethical decision-making, prevent governance failures, strengthen compliance culture and help leaders make the right decisions without taking over leadership roles.
“A catalyst turns governance from theory into practice, transforms compliance from a burden into a culture, prevents friction before it becomes conflict and converts good intentions into good governance.
“The hallmark of a great chartered company secretary is not merely what they know but who they are.
“In governance, your reputation enters the boardroom before you do, while your integrity remains long after you have left,” she said.
Ekundayo stressed that professional competence without integrity is insufficient, noting that chartered secretaries must uphold both personal and professional ethics.
“You cannot be the conscience of the board if your own conscience is for sale. Before you keep the company’s secrets, you must first keep your own values.
“Professional ethics tell you what you should do, while personal ethics determine what you will do when no one is watching,” she said.
She noted that chartered secretaries occupied a unique position in organisations because they were legally responsible for preserving the integrity of governance processes.
According to her, the profession serves as the “last line of documentary truth” in organisations by ensuring accurate records, transparent processes and accountability.
On national development, Ekundayo said no country had developed beyond the quality of its institutions, adding that strong governance frameworks remained the foundation of economic growth.
She cited countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates as examples of nations that first built strong administrative and governance institutions before achieving rapid development.
“The administrative spine of every successful nation is built on clean registries, audited accounts, enforceable contracts, transparent boards and accurate records. That is what chartered secretaries build.
“When investors decide where to invest, they are influenced not only by government policies but by whether institutions can be trusted and governance systems are functional. That is your work. That is national development,” she said.
Ekundayo also urged the newly inducted members to see their professional qualification as a responsibility to influence governance decisions that would shape Nigeria’s future.
Earlier, ICSAN President, Mrs Uto Ukpanah, said the induction marked the beginning of a professional journey dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability and institutional excellence.
Ukpanah congratulated the new graduates and associates, describing their admission into the institute as evidence of perseverance, discipline and commitment to excellence.
She said chartered secretaries occupied an indispensable position in the governance architecture of organisations by serving as trusted advisers to boards, governments and other stakeholders.
According to her, ICSAN remains committed to advancing corporate governance through professional education, continuing development programmes, research, advocacy and strategic collaborations.
Ukpanah noted that rapid technological advancement, changing regulations, economic uncertainty and growing public demand for accountability had expanded the role of governance professionals.
“Today, organisations require professionals who possess not only technical knowledge but also sound judgement, ethical courage, strategic insight and the ability to inspire confidence.
“Increasingly, the chartered secretary is expected to serve as the bridge between compliance and performance, governance and strategy, and organisational success and public trust,” she said.
Ukpanah said Nigeria’s quest for sustainable development depended largely on the quality of governance within its institutions.
She urged the newly inducted members to embrace lifelong learning, remain digitally competent and uphold the institute’s ethical values throughout their careers.
“I urge you to volunteer your expertise whenever opportunities arise. Uphold the dignity of the ICSAN brand in every professional engagement.
“More importantly, guard your integrity jealously. Professional reputation is built patiently over many years but can be destroyed in a single moment of poor judgment,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institute honoured outstanding graduates with awards recognising excellence across key areas of corporate governance, administration, finance and law.
Among the recipients, Ogodo Uzezi emerged as the biggest winner, clinching the DCSL Prize for Overall Best Graduating Student, among others.
She clinched the APBN Prize for Overall Best Graduating Student, the Funmi Ekundayo Prize for Overall Best Graduating Student (Female), the Samuel Kolawole Prize for Overall Best Female Graduating Student, and the Bode Ayeku Prize for Overall Best Graduating Student (to qualify at one sitting).
Other awardees included Danladi Abubakar, who received the Tunde Busari Prize for Corporate Law; Ndubueze-Agubalu Chika, winner of the Oba Oladele Olashore Prize for Financial Management and Strategy; Idam Patience, who won the Hakeem Ogunniran Prize for Governance: Public, Private and Not-for-Profit; and Daikwo Francis, recognised with the Oladipo Ogunsulire Prize for Corporate Administration and Risk Management.(NAN)
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle