The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has emphasised the relevance and impact of chartered secretaries and administrators in shaping ethical, efficient and forward-looking institutions.
The institute argued that Nigeria needs value-driven, future-focused secretaries and administrators who can contribute not just to institutional growth but also to nation-building.
Speaking at this year’s induction ceremony of graduates and associates President and Chairman of Governing Council, ICSAN, Funmi Ekundayo, said the theme, ‘Governance Professional: Unlocking your Potential in a Changing Corporate and Public Sector Landscape’, was pertinent, especially in a time when governance and administrative roles are evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by emerging technologies, regulatory shifts, sustainability demands and changing societal expectations.
She said it had become critical for governance professionals to be proactive in navigating and mastering the complexities of modern corporate and public governance.
“Whether you serve in boardrooms, regulatory bodies, ministries or private enterprises, your capacity to innovate, to lead ethically, and to uphold governance standards will set you apart in this competitive landscape.
“When you unlock your potential, you unlock prosperity, resilience and good governance for the country as a whole.
“When you operate at your best, Nigeria reaps the dividends in terms of sound policy implementation, restored public confidence in the systems and sustainable development,” she said.
To the inductees, Ekundayo said: “You also owe a duty to the nation, to be torchbearers of good governance, agents of reform and ethical reference points in your respective spheres of influence. You must also continuously challenge yourselves to go beyond the ordinary, to pursue excellence and relevance in all you do.”
The Guest Speaker and Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof. Sanni Abiola, noted that the role of secretaries has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years, adapting to the changing demands of the modern workplace.
“We live in an era of accelerated transformation. From regulatory reforms to digital disruption, from profit to public interest, governance is undergoing a paradigm shift in both the corporate and public spheres,” he said.
Advising the inductees on the reforms, he called for broader career opportunities beyond traditional roles. He urged them to create scope for advisory, strategic, and digital governance leadership.
The don charged them to reinforce the relevance of chartered secretaries in both the private and public sectors. In the public sector, Abiola said, was shifting from procedural governance to performance-oriented service.
The don said company secretaries must now navigate complex accountability frameworks and public-facing ethics. On the role of administrators in the public sector, the senior advocate said they must be compasses during institutional reforms.
“As you begin to unlock your potential in this changing corporate and public sector landscape, note that there’s only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything, no matter the challenges,” he said.
