The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has called for stronger implementation of good governance principles and deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth and attract investment.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the 3rd National Corporate Governance Summit, Uto Ukpanah, ICSAN President and Chairman of Council, said Nigeria’s challenge is no longer the absence of governance laws and frameworks but ensuring they deliver measurable economic and institutional results.
According to her, effective governance should translate into stronger institutions, increased investor confidence, job creation and improved living standards for Nigerians.
The summit, themed “Implementing Good Governance for Economic Acceleration: Consolidating Public–Private Sector Partnership,” is being organised in partnership with the CIoD Centre for Corporate Governance, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
Scheduled for July 21–22, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the event is expected to attract more than 500 policymakers, regulators, investors, corporate executives and governance professionals.
Ukpanah said countries that have achieved sustained economic growth have done so by building strong institutions and fostering productive partnerships between governments and businesses.
She stressed that governance should no longer be viewed solely as a regulatory obligation but as a strategic tool for driving investment, competitiveness, innovation and long-term economic prosperity.
“The focus must shift from having governance frameworks to ensuring they are effectively implemented and deliver tangible outcomes,” she said.
The summit will examine practical strategies for improving governance implementation, strengthening regulatory institutions, enhancing board effectiveness, promoting ethical leadership and building greater accountability across the public and private sectors.
Participants will also review successful governance models, share best practices and propose reforms aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.
Ukpanah said the event aligns with ICSAN’s broader mission of strengthening governance through professional education, research, advocacy, policy engagement and capacity building.
She noted that the institute is also celebrating its 60th anniversary this year under the theme, “Six Decades of Excellence: Shaping Governance, Empowering Futures,” underscoring its longstanding commitment to promoting governance excellence and national development.
The ICSAN president urged the media to support efforts to deepen public understanding of good governance, describing the press as a critical partner in promoting transparency, accountability and institutional integrity.
She expressed confidence that the summit’s recommendations would provide practical guidance for policymakers, regulators, business leaders and governance professionals while helping to strengthen governance practices needed to accelerate Nigeria’s economic development.
Ukpanah also thanked the institute’s partners and stakeholders for their continued support, expressing optimism that stronger public-private sector collaboration would unlock new investment opportunities and drive inclusive economic growth.
