The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has affirmed its commitment to supporting the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) in its mission to advance corporate governance and administrative excellence across the nation.
CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, conveyed this pledge during a fundraising event held in Abuja on Monday for the construction of ICSAN's multi-functional secretariat complex. Represented by his Technical Adviser, Philip Ndanusa, Governor Cardoso emphasized the apex bank's recognition of ICSAN's crucial role in shaping governance culture within both the public and private sectors.
He highlighted the strong alignment between ICSAN's core values of professionalism and integrity and the CBN's current reform agenda, which prioritizes transparency, accountability, and robust governance structures within its own operations.
"The CBN is in support of what the Institute is doing, not only as it relates to today's fundraising for this significant building project, but also any other initiative that ICSAN might be promoting towards the enhancement of good corporate governance in Nigeria," stated Ndanusa on behalf of the Governor.
Cardoso further underscored the CBN's recent governance advancements, including the ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at sharpening the bank's focus on its core mandates. He also cited the rigorous selection process for the appointment of 16 new directors, notably including six women, and the institution's active pursuit of cost control and enhanced operational efficiency as concrete examples of these strides.
In her address, the President of ICSAN, Funmi Ekundayo, expressed the institute's unwavering dedication to the successful completion of its secretariat building, which will be strategically located in Lagos. She envisioned the complex as a vital hub for professional development, technology-driven learning, and engagement with the diaspora.
"This building transcends its physical form; it embodies our collective aspiration for capacity building, national development, and institutional excellence," Ekundayo asserted. "It will house lecture halls, a modern library, and a central space for training and events designed to bolster the professional growth of our members across all sectors."
Ekundayo described the fundraising event as a key component of the institute's multifaceted strategy to ensure the secretariat's realization, noting that ICSAN boasts a nationwide membership of nearly 10,000 professionals.
The Vice President of ICSAN, Uto Ukpanah, emphasized that the secretariat project represents a long-held vision of past ICSAN administrations, and the time has come to bring it to fruition.
"At ICSAN, we are firm believers in possibilities," Ukpanah stated. "This project has been in our sights for many years, and with the support of our valued stakeholders and friends, we are resolute in our commitment to deliver it."
She underscored the indispensable role that governance professionals play in fostering well-managed institutions, adding that ICSAN's enduring legacy of championing accountability and ethical leadership is more critical than ever in the current landscape.
Having been a leading voice in governance advocacy for over 59 years, ICSAN reaffirmed its dedication to contributing significantly to Nigeria's economic transformation by cultivating a new generation of governance professionals capable of driving institutional stability and long-term sustainability.