…says Directors must look beyond short-term fixes for survival
By Olakunle Oke
The Annual Directors’ Conference (ADC) has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most influential business events, bringing together key players from the public and private sectors to shape national economic direction, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Chairman of the National Planning for the 2025 ADC has stated.
Speaking in an interview with NewsDirect ahead of the 2025 edition of the conference, themed “Leading Through Change: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Enterprises,” Ashiru said the ADC has become more than a professional gathering of corporate directors.
“It now serves as a bridge between policy and practice, providing a platform for government, regulators, and corporate leaders to align strategies in response to ongoing economic reforms.”
“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,” Ashiru stated.
He further noted that the Conference serves as a platform where leaders can align strategies to strengthen businesses and, by extension, Nigeria’s economy.
Explaining the choice of the 2025 theme, Ashiru said the focus on leadership through change reflects the global realities shaping economies today from technological disruption to climate change and shifting demographics.
“We are in a period of tough but necessary reforms. These bring uncertainty, but also immense opportunity,” he said. “Leadership is not just about weathering change but steering enterprises through it in ways that are sustainable and inclusive.”
Ashiru acknowledged the resilience of Nigerian business leaders amid tough macroeconomic conditions marked by inflation, high interest rates, and infrastructural gaps.
“Nigerian enterprises continue to innovate and push boundaries. But directors must look beyond short-term fixes. Corporate governance should not be seen as a checklist but as a value system that builds trust, attracts capital, and drives sustainable growth.” he said.
Responding to concerns about governance challenges in Nigeria, Ashiru stressed that promoting ethical leadership and transparency is at the heart of CIoD’s mission.
“Governance failures erode trust and limit investment,” he noted. “Through conferences like ADC2025, we reinforce that good governance is not a burden but a catalyst for growth.”
For first-time attendees, Ashiru said the conference promises three key benefits knowledge, networks, and perspective.
“They will gain insights into governance and leadership, connect with leaders across sectors, and learn to view change not as a threat but as an opportunity to innovate and build responsibly,” he said.
Ashiru emphasised that ADC2025 directly aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing economic reform agenda.
“These reforms need private sector participation to succeed,” he said. “The ADC provides a forum for business leaders to engage policymakers, understand reform directions, and help translate them into jobs and shared prosperity.”