The President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Uto Ukpanah, has called for the effective implementation of good governance principles and stronger public-private sector collaboration as critical drivers of Nigeria’s economic growth and sustainable development.
Speaking at a press conference to announce the 3rd National Corporate Governance Summit, Ukpanah said Nigeria already has adequate governance frameworks and regulations, but the country’s major challenge remains translating these principles into measurable outcomes that strengthen institutions, attract investment, create jobs and improve citizens’ quality of life.
The summit, themed “Implementing Good Governance for Economic Acceleration: Consolidating Public–Private Sector Partnership,” is being organised in collaboration with the CIoD Centre for Corporate Governance, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
It is scheduled to hold on July 21 and 22, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, and is expected to attract more than 500 participants, including policymakers, regulators, investors, corporate leaders and governance professionals.
According to Ukpanah, countries that have achieved sustainable economic growth have done so by building strong institutions and fostering effective partnerships between government and the private sector.
She stressed that governance should no longer be viewed merely as a compliance requirement but as a strategic economic tool capable of driving investment, competitiveness, innovation and long-term national prosperity.
The ICSAN president noted that the summit would focus on practical solutions for improving governance implementation, strengthening regulatory effectiveness, enhancing board performance, promoting ethical leadership and building accountable institutions across both the public and private sectors.
She added that participants would also examine successful governance models, share best practices and recommend reforms aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.
Ukpanah said the summit aligns with ICSAN’s broader commitment to strengthening governance systems through professional education, advocacy, research, policy engagement and capacity building.
She also noted that the institute is marking its 60th anniversary this year under the theme, “Six Decades of Excellence: Shaping Governance, Empowering Futures,” reaffirming its role in promoting governance excellence and supporting national development.
The ICSAN president urged the media to partner with the institute in raising public awareness about the importance of good governance, describing the press as a critical stakeholder in promoting transparency, accountability and institutional integrity.
She expressed confidence that the recommendations from the summit would provide valuable guidance for policymakers, regulators, business leaders and governance professionals while contributing to improved governance practices that support economic acceleration.
Ukpanah thanked the institute’s partners and stakeholders for their continued support, expressing optimism that stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors would help unlock new economic opportunities and build a more prosperous Nigeria.
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