By Matthew Denis
The President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (CIoD Nigeria), Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, has disclosed that the Institute remains committed to supporting the government through policy advocacy, capacity building, and the promotion of good governance.
Mr. Oyebanji made the disclosure during his opening remarks at the 2025 Annual Directors’ Conference held in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, this year’s theme, “Leading Through Change: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Enterprises,” is timely and appropriate given the global economic and policy shifts.
“Around the world, organisations are navigating profound economic changes, and leaders are being called upon to balance profitability with responsibility, growth with inclusion, and innovation with integrity,” he said.
Oyebanji noted that the prestigious gathering brings together directors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and corporate governance professionals from various sectors across Nigeria and beyond.
“The significance of this conference is immense, particularly at a time when the need for sound governance and leadership is crucial to our nation’s quest to build enduring enterprises that will stand the test of time.
As the recognised voice of directors, we continuously empower our members to contribute meaningfully to their organisations, their communities, and our nation,” he stated.
He stressed that the Institute is deeply committed to supporting government efforts through policy advocacy, capacity building, and the promotion of governance excellence across all sectors.
“Our Annual Directors’ Conference (ADC) remains the flagship platform for public engagement and thought leadership. It brings together decision-makers from the boardroom, government, academia, and civil society to deliberate on issues shaping the future of business and governance,” Oyebanji said.
He further noted that the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria proudly leads the advocacy for sound corporate governance in both public and private sectors.
“Our mission is clear: to develop competent, ethical, and visionary leaders who will drive enterprise performance and national prosperity,” he added.
Oyebanji highlighted that inclusive business strategies are increasingly integrating vulnerable groups, especially women and youth, into productive sectors such as renewable energy and fintech through access to finance and enabling policies.
He referenced data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) MSME 2021 Survey, noting that SMEs contribute nearly 50 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and 75 percent of employment — making them the backbone of inclusive growth.
However, he observed that challenges persist, including policy inconsistencies, infrastructure deficits, and limited access to affordable finance.
“Addressing these challenges requires stronger public-private partnerships, capacity building, and innovative financing models tailored to scale inclusive enterprises,” he said.
Oyebanji appreciated participants for their support in making the event successful.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Nigeria and Africa’s Leadership Moment: From Boardroom to Nation Building,” Dr. Kola Adeshina emphasized that Nigeria’s enterprise landscape, with over 39 million micro, small, and medium enterprises, generates nearly half of the nation’s GDP and provides up to 88 percent of all employment.
Dr. Adeshina lamented that Nigeria’s MSMEs face a N13 trillion financing gap, about 17 percent of GDP.
He urged the organised private sector to actively collaborate with government in selecting and aligning priorities to achieve significant results in infrastructure development, social impact projects, and human capital advancement.
In his vote of thanks, the Director-General of CIoD Nigeria, Mr. Taiwo Alausa, stated that the conference was designed to foster synergy between policymakers and the private sector to formulate an agenda for sustainable economic growth.
He reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to its core objective of sharpening the professional skills of directors, business leaders, technocrats, and top-level civil and public servants through its internationally recognized Director Development Programmes.