Members of the ICSAN Conference and AGM Committee Mr. Kunle Adaramola, ACIS (Left); and Mrs. Felicia Shonubi, FCIS; Vice President/Chairman Conference & AGM Committee, Mr. Francis Olawale, FCIS; Registrar/ Chief Executive, ICSAN, Mr. Aniedi Amos, FCIS; Deputy Registrar Operations, ICSAN, Ms. Akudazie Ndugbu, FCIS, during the Pre-Annual Conference Press Briefing held on Tuesday, 6th October 2026 in Lagos.

 

 

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has emphasised that corporate governance remains critical to ensuring that businesses operate profitably while complying with ethical and legal standards.

Vice President, ICSAN, Francis Olawale, stated this ahead of the institute’s 60th anniversary and its 2026 Annual Conference, scheduled for Friday, October 9, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

The conference, themed, “Balancing Profit and Purpose: Advancing Sustainable Business Practices in Emerging Economies,” and the Diamond jubilee theme “Six Decades of Excellence: Shaping Governance, Empowering Futures” are expected to bring together business executives, policymakers, regulators, academics and governance professionals to deliberate on sustainable business and responsible governance.

Olawale who is also the conference planning committee chairman said the theme was informed by the dilemma faced by businesses that seek to remain profitable while complying with regulations and ethical requirements, particularly in an economy where many companies are operating in survival mode.

According to him, corporate governance professionals have a responsibility to guide businesses on how to pursue profitability without compromising compliance.

He said: “We as corporate governance experts see the need for people to still operate efficiently, comply with necessary ethics and laws while you still pursue your profit.

“You can be compliant, you can run by the rules, and still pursue your profit. And we think a lot of our companies, a lot of our businesses are in such dilemmas because a lot are in survival mode.”

Olawale said the state of the economy directly affects the welfare of Nigerians, stressing that businesses are central players in the economy while government’s responsibility includes creating an enabling environment.

He added that ICSAN contributes to nation-building through policy advocacy, advising government and partnering with government agencies across different sectors.

The ICSAN official said the conference would also examine the implications of Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms for corporate governance, transparency and business sustainability.

He disclosed that a partner from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is expected to speak on the tax reforms and their implications, while the keynote address will be delivered by economist and principal partner of Adedipe & Associates, Professor Adedipe.

Olawale described Adedipe as a renowned economist with experience spanning the banking industry, government advisory and academia, saying participants would benefit from his experience.

He said ICSAN would also use the conference to strengthen the capacity of its members, with Alawusa Adewuyi, a fellow of the institute and company secretary of Keystone Bank, expected to speak during the capacity-building session.

Beyond the conference sessions, Olawale said the programme would provide opportunities for members to interact, including mentoring younger members.

He said the second day would feature the institute’s gala night and awards, including its regular Chartered Secretary of the Year award.

He added that, as part of activities marking ICSAN’s 60th anniversary, the institute would recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to its development and induct a larger-than-usual number of new fellows.

On ICSAN’s contribution to corporate governance in Nigeria, Olawale said the institute had played a significant role in the development of corporate governance codes and policy initiatives.

He noted that ICSAN had significant representation in the process that produced the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) in 2018, both in terms of membership of the relevant committee and contributions to the content and provisions of the code.

He added that the institute had also contributed to developing corporate governance frameworks for the public and non-profit sectors and partnered with government agencies and sub-national governments on policy development and advocacy.

Olawale said ICSAN had also contributed to the development of governance professionals, noting that the role had evolved beyond taking minutes at board meetings to include risk management, compliance oversight and board assessment.

However, he identified public misunderstanding of the role of chartered secretaries as one of the major challenges confronting the institute.

According to him, the name “Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria” has sometimes led people to mistakenly assume that its members are stenographers, despite their role in supporting management and boards.

He said the institute had also faced challenges in expanding its geographical presence, particularly in Northern Nigeria, but had in recent years established a branch in Kaduna and a chapter in Kano.

Olawale said ICSAN was currently seeking to change its identity to the Chartered Governance Institutes of Nigeria, adding that a bill to that effect was before the National Assembly.

He expressed hope that the bill would be passed into law in the near future.