As the country undergoes economic restructuring, digital acceleration and demographic shifts, the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria says there is an urgent need for leaders to build enterprises that are sustainable and innovative to strengthen the economy and foster inclusivity.

Noting that governance was not about boardroom efficiency, the institute said that with the ongoing restructuring in the country, leaders across sectors must align corporate governance with the national agenda, as well as guide organisations with clarity, ethics and foresight.

President and Chairman of the Governing Council, CIoD Nigeria, Adetunji Oyebanji, while reaffirming the institute’s role as a partner in Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation, said this ahead of the institute’s yearly directors’ conference, slated to be held on October 22 to 24, 2025 in Abuja, with the theme ‘Leading Through Change: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Enterprises’.

To survive the change, he said, leaders must lead through and build enterprises that are sustainable, innovative, and inclusive. According to him, that is how the institute contributes as directors and leaders to the task of nation-building.

Stating that the theme was a call to action, he said the traditional business models that sustained organisations for generations are being challenged, and public trust, the bedrock of the profession, was constantly under scrutiny.

This, he said, has forced many to see the era of disruption as a threat.

“And to a certain extent, it is. It threatens complacency, it challenges outdated practices, and it demands that we move beyond the status quo. But I urge you to see it differently. This period of change is not merely a threat; it is a profound opportunity — an opportunity to forge a new path, to redefine our purpose, and to build institutions that are not only resilient but are also more impactful and more reflective of the world we serve,” he said.

To build an inclusive enterprise, the CIoD boss said: “We must confront our biases, challenge our assumptions, and be intentional in our efforts. It means actively seeking out diverse talent, fostering an equitable workplace culture, and ensuring that our coverage is fair, nuanced, and representative,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the conference National Organising Committee (NOC), Bimbo Ashiru, who was represented by Ronke Sokefun, hinted at the dignitaries expected at the conference, saying that President Bola Tinubu is expected as the Special Guest of Honour.

He said the conference would provide directors, executives and policymakers with the tools and knowledge needed to respond to uncertainty while advancing the discourse on corporate governance in Nigeria.

He added that it is expected to strengthen the participants in ethical leadership and build sustainable enterprises, while driving national economic progress.