The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has said it would continue to engage the National Assembly on the passage of the ICSAN amendment bill.

The new President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the organisation, Uto Ukpanah, disclosed that, adding that the new bill would enable the body to change its name to the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria (CGIN).

She said being cognisant of international best practices and the evolving role of governance professionals, the move would align with similar reforms in the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Canada, Australia, Rwanda, New Zealand and many other jurisdictions.

The new identity, she also said, reinforces the position of its members as institutional gatekeepers and governance moderators across sectors.
According to her, in the face of evolving corporate landscapes, regulatory complexities and global uncertainties, the role of the chartered secretary and governance professional has never been more critical.

She described a chartered secretary and governance professional as not just record keepers or compliance officers, but also strategic enablers, ethical guardians and trusted advisors to boards and institutions.

Disclosing plans for her two-year tenure as ICSAN president, she said, as the institute turns 60 next year, it plans to commemorate it, especially on its impactful contributions to Nigeria’s governance landscape.

The ICSAN boss said the celebration would simply be unforgettable, by achieving the commissioning of its multi-billion naira new national secretariat building and the enactment of the CGIN Bill.

Among other plans, she said the institute plans to deepen engagement and capacity building for young professionals.Noting that the future of governance lies in the energy, creativity, and digital fluency of the youth, she said the institute would create pathways for young professionals and students to join its ranks, ensuring the sustainability and diversity of the Institute.