Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, the Chairman of the 2025 Annual Directors’ Conference (ADC2025) speaks to NewsDirect on how the conference will promote accountability and integrity amongst Directors. The conference which will be held in Abuja later this month will be held under the theme: “Leading Through Change: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Enterprises”. Excerpts.

The ADC has become a signature event in Nigeria’s business calendar. What role does it play in the broader economic conversation?

The Annual Directors’ Conference (ADC) has grown beyond being a professional gathering of directors. It is now a central platform where corporate Nigeria, government, regulators, and civil society converge to shape conversations about the economy and governance. At a time when Nigeria is grappling with reforms in fuel subsidy, foreign exchange markets, and electricity, alongside inflationary pressures, the ADC provides not just analysis but actionable insights. It is a bridge between policy and practice — a space where leaders can align strategies to strengthen businesses and, by extension, Nigeria’s economy.

This year’s theme is “Leading Through Change: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Enterprises.” Why this theme, and why now?

Change is the one constant in our world today. Economies are being reshaped by technology, climate realities, demographic shifts, and global trade disruptions. Nigeria is no exception. We are in a period of tough but necessary reforms, and these bring uncertainty but also immense opportunity. The theme recognises that leadership is not just about weathering change, but about steering enterprises through it in ways that are sustainable — meaning resilient and long-term — and inclusive, ensuring that growth touches people across all segments of society. This is why the theme is timely and urgent: directors must be equipped to lead transformation, not just adapt to it.

How do you see Nigerian directors and business leaders responding to today’s economic challenges?

Nigerian directors are demonstrating resilience, but the environment is tough. Rising inflation is eroding purchasing power, high interest rates make access to capital difficult, and persistent infrastructural gaps — particularly in energy — constrain competitiveness. Yet, Nigerian enterprises continue to innovate, adapt, and push boundaries. What is required now is leadership that looks beyond short-term fixes to long-term strategies. Directors must embrace corporate governance not as a compliance checklist, but as a value system that builds trust with investors, attracts foreign capital, and positions businesses for sustainable growth in the African and global markets.

What opportunities do you believe this period of economic transition offers?

Every challenge carries with it the seed of opportunity. For Nigeria, this is the moment to truly diversify. Beyond oil, we are seeing promising growth in fintech, agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries. The reforms underway are painful in the short term, but they open space for new investment and innovation. Enterprises that align with sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusion will emerge stronger. The ADC aims to equip directors with the foresight and tools to identify and seize these opportunities, ensuring that Nigerian businesses do not just survive change but thrive through it.

Beyond the conference theme, what concrete outcomes do you expect from ADC2025?

First, stronger collaboration between business and government. The conference, and especially the Business Meets Government Dinner, provides a forum where both sides can listen to each other and align priorities. Second, we expect practical takeaways for directors: strategies for leading in uncertain times, case studies on sustainability and inclusion, and insights into global governance trends. Third, we hope to inspire a new commitment among directors to build enterprises that balance profitability with responsibility — businesses that invest in people, communities, and long-term value creation.

Nigeria has faced criticism over governance and transparency issues. How does CIoD hope to address this?

We recognise those concerns, and that is why CIoD exists. We are committed to promoting good corporate governance, ethical leadership, and transparency as the bedrock of national development. Governance failures — whether in the public or private sector — erode trust and limit investment. Through conferences like ADC2025, we reinforce the message that governance is not a burden but a catalyst for growth. Directors must be accountable stewards, and when they lead with integrity, the ripple effect strengthens the entire economy.

Who are some of the dignitaries and speakers we should expect at ADC2025?

We are privileged to have His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as the Special Guest of Honour. The Conference Chairman will be Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, CON, a respected economist and policymaker. Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Kola Adesina, Group MD of Sahara Group, whose experience in driving energy transformation will bring deep insights. Guests of Honour include Hon. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, and Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget & Economic Planning. We will also host leaders such as Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON mni, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman, MFR, and Mrs. Tara Fela-Durotoye. This lineup ensures that delegates hear from the very best across business, government, and civil society.

For a director or CEO attending for the first time, what unique value will they gain?

They will walk away with three things: knowledge, networks, and renewed perspective. Knowledge in the form of cutting-edge insights into governance and leadership in a changing economy. Networks because the ADC brings together leaders across industries and sectors, creating opportunities for collaboration. And perspective, because the conference challenges conventional thinking and equips directors to see change not as a threat, but as an invitation to innovate, include, and build responsibly.

How does ADC2025 align with Nigeria’s push for economic growth and reform?


The conference is directly aligned with the government’s reform agenda. Nigeria is in the middle of bold reforms — in energy, foreign exchange, and fiscal policy. These reforms need private sector participation to succeed. ADC2025 provides the forum where private sector leaders can engage with policymakers, understand reform directions, and contribute to shaping them. This alignment is critical for ensuring reforms translate into jobs, investment, and shared prosperity.

Finally, what is your message to Nigeria’s business community ahead of ADC2025?


The message is this: the future of Nigeria’s economy will not be written in boardrooms abroad; it will be determined here, by the quality of leadership in our institutions, businesses, and public life. Directors and leaders cannot afford to be passive spectators. We must embrace the responsibility of leading through change — building enterprises that are sustainable and inclusive. That is what ADC2025 is about, and that is why we are inviting every serious leader to join us. The stage is set, the leaders are gathering, and the future is calling.