The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria, Adetunji Oyebanji, has called on newly inaugurated executives in the South-West zone to promote ethical leadership, expand membership, and drive stronger corporate governance across the region.
Speaking during the second Annual General Meeting of the institute’s Abeokuta South-West zone, Oyebanji stressed that members must uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and innovation in leadership.
Represented at the event by the institute’s Director-General, Taiwo Noilas-Ajayi, the CIoD president noted that the organisation has evolved beyond a membership association into a statutory body responsible for professionalising directorship in Nigeria.
He encouraged the newly elected executives to intensify membership recruitment strategies and increase engagement across industries in the South-West.
According to him, the region represents a major hub for Nigeria’s business, intellectual, and industrial activities, making it crucial for the institute to attract more qualified directors and corporate leaders.
“The South-West holds immense potential for expanding our network of professional directors.
The incoming executives must adopt strategic outreach initiatives to attract more leaders into the institute,” he said.
Oyebanji also urged members to actively participate in zonal programmes and contribute innovative ideas that will strengthen the organisation’s presence and influence in corporate governance.
CIoD Academy Promotes Professional Development
Also speaking at the event, the Director of the CIoD Academy, Ibitayo Ogunbanwo, highlighted the benefits of joining the institute.
He explained that the academy provides valuable networking opportunities with experienced professionals and organises training programmes and conferences aimed at equipping directors, executives, and business leaders with essential corporate leadership skills.
These initiatives, he said, help organisations strengthen governance structures and achieve sustainable growth.
Leadership Transition and Membership Growth
During the meeting, the immediate past chairman of the zone, Bode Mustapha, presented a report on his administration’s achievements.
He revealed that the zone recorded the addition of 27 new members during his tenure, increasing total membership to 154.
However, Mustapha noted that membership growth could improve further if enrolment fees were reduced or allowed to be paid in instalments, particularly since many potential members in the zone are civil servants.
The newly inaugurated chairman, Remi Bakare, pledged to build on the achievements of the previous leadership and work toward making the South-West Abeokuta zone more vibrant and productive.
