Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited has urged business leaders and entrepreneurs to place integrity, accountability and strong governance at the centre of their pursuit of long-term success, warning that reputation and credibility are difficult to rebuild once lost.

The bank made the call at the second edition of its Leadership & Legacy Series in Lagos, which brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs and clients for discussions on leadership, integrity and the principles that support enduring success.

The event featured the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Kayode Pitan, who drew on his experience in banking, entrepreneurship, public service and executive leadership to highlight the importance of character and ethical decision-making in building lasting institutions.

Pitan described integrity as one of the most valuable assets a leader can possess, stressing that sustainable success depends not only on competence and achievements, but also on character, consistency and the courage to make principled decisions.

“Integrity is a currency,” he said, while emphasising the importance of transparency, accountability and strong governance in creating long-term value and institutional impact.

He also highlighted resilience as an important quality for leaders navigating adversity and urged business leaders and professionals to remain committed to ethical standards regardless of the circumstances they face.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s changing business environment, Pitan encouraged entrepreneurs and professionals to build their careers and institutions around trust, credibility and values.

He noted that lasting legacies were shaped not only by what people achieved, but also by how those achievements were attained.

Also speaking, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Ayodeji Adelagun, said the Leadership & Legacy Series was created to connect clients and stakeholders with accomplished leaders whose experiences could provide practical lessons for personal and professional growth.

According to him, leadership conversations are increasingly moving beyond commercial success to include stewardship, succession planning, wealth preservation and long-term societal impact.

He said the shift was particularly relevant to business owners, executives and affluent families seeking to preserve wealth and transfer it responsibly across generations.

“Integrity in leadership and a commitment to building a legacy reflect a fundamental shift in how success is defined today. Increasingly, the focus is not only on building wealth, but on preserving it, passing it on responsibly and creating meaningful impact for future generations,” Adelagun said.

The session also featured discussions on entrepreneurship, governance and succession, with participants examining the role of values-based leadership in a changing business environment.

The bank said the forum also highlighted its wealth management capabilities and commitment to helping clients create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations through tailored solutions and advisory expertise.