As Nigeria accelerates into an era increasingly shaped by emerging technologies, leaders in governance and business are being called upon to embrace a proactive role in Artificial Intelligence (AI) oversight. Speaking at the recent investiture ceremony of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Dr. Omobola Johnson, former Minister of Communication Technology, made a compelling case for corporate boards and company secretaries to take charge in establishing robust AI governance frameworks.
The event, held in Lagos, marked the official handover of leadership to ICSAN’s 30th President, Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, and served as a platform to reflect on the past administration's achievements and map a vision for the future.
AI Oversight Must Be as Sophisticated as the Technology, Says Johnson
Dr. Johnson, now a Senior Partner at TLcom Capital, emphasized that the safe and responsible adoption of AI in Nigeria requires thoughtful governance grounded in transparency, accountability, and human oversight.
“It is clear that if AI is going to play a central role in our future, how we manage it must be just as sophisticated as the technology itself,” she said.
Citing instances of algorithmic bias and other potential risks, Johnson urged boards of directors to develop internal structures that ensure AI applications align with their organisation’s values while complying with ethical and regulatory standards. She stressed the importance of balancing innovation with responsibility, calling on company secretaries to encourage the disclosure of major AI uses and their associated safeguards.
Boards, she noted, must not only focus on performance and productivity gains, but also maintain vigilance over AI’s unintended consequences, including the marginalisation of human input in critical decision-making processes.
ICSAN Celebrates a Transformative Leadership Tenure
In her valedictory speech, the outgoing President of ICSAN, Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, reflected on a tenure marked by reform, visibility, and strategic expansion. Among her administration’s key achievements were:
- Promotion of corporate governance principles across public and private sectors
- Strengthening of alliances with regulatory bodies
- Commencement of the institute’s national secretariat project
- Institutional linkages and strategic partnerships
- Enhanced publicity and professional development programs
Despite these strides, Ekundayo acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in growing ICSAN’s membership base and dispelling outdated stereotypes that narrowly define the institute’s function as purely secretarial.
She expressed hope that the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria (CGIN) Bill, currently under consideration, would provide the needed legislative backing to reposition ICSAN as a broader governance and leadership authority.
A New Chapter: Uto Ukpanah Takes the Helm
Incoming President Mrs. Uto Ukpanah paid tribute to her predecessor’s bold and visionary leadership, describing Ekundayo’s tenure as “remarkable, brilliant, and impactful.”
She also celebrated the symbolic transition of leadership between two female presidents, noting it as a testament to ICSAN’s commitment to gender inclusion, meritocracy, and excellence.
Ukpanah unveiled the theme for her presidency—“Expanding the Scope of Developments, Building on Legacy of Visionary Leadership”—which she described as both a strategic roadmap and a call to innovation.
“We will prioritise continuity, but we will also innovate—preserve heritage, yet remain receptive to disruption,” she declared. “With a deep sense of humility and purpose, I formally accept the mantle of leadership as ICSAN’s 30th President and Chairman of the Governing Council.”
Broad Support from Stakeholders
The ceremony drew prominent figures from the public and private sectors, including representatives of the Lagos and Akwa Ibom State Governments, business leaders, and governance stakeholders. Attendees expressed confidence in Ukpanah’s capacity to deepen ICSAN’s impact and further advance the practice of corporate governance in Nigeria.
They called on her to champion ethical leadership and governance reforms across all sectors, in alignment with ICSAN’s mission to drive professional excellence and institutional integrity.
As ICSAN enters a new phase under Ukpanah’s leadership, and with experts like Dr. Johnson advocating for responsive governance in the face of technological disruption, the role of chartered secretaries and administrators in shaping Nigeria’s future—particularly through ethical and inclusive innovation—has never been more critical.