WELCOME ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL, INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SECRETARIES AND ADMINISTRATORS OF NIGERIA (ICSAN), MRS. UTO UKPANAH, FCIS, AT THE 2025 ANNUAL SUMMIT OF THE LAGOS STATE CHAPTER OF ICSAN, HELD ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2025 AT THE JEWEL AEIDA, LEKKI PHASE 1, LAGOS.
• The Vice-President of the Institute, Mr. Francis Olawale, FCIS;
• The Treasurer, Mr. Onyekachi Uko, FCIS;
• The Immediate Past President, Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, FCIS;
• Past Presidents of ICSAN;
• Members of the Governing Council of ICSAN;
• The Chairman of the Occasion, Dr. Dayo Mobereola;
• Our Host, Ms Efosa Ewere, FCIS, Chairman of ICSAN, Lagos State Chapter;
• The distinguished Keynote Speaker, Professor Yinka Omorogbe, SAN;
• Invited Resource Persons
• Distinguished Fellows and Members of ICSAN;
• Media Partners;
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
It gives me immense pleasure to join you at the 2025 Annual Summit of the Lagos State Chapter of our great Institute, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).
This Summit represents yet another milestone in our collective journey towards deepening the culture of good governance, transparency, and professional excellence in Nigeria. It is not only a platform for intellectual engagement and knowledge-sharing but also a golden opportunity for networking, collaboration, and the building of stronger professional bonds among our members and with counterparts across various sectors.
The Lagos State Chapter, fondly regarded as “The Flagship Chapter”, plays a pivotal role. Over the years, the Chapter has continued to set high standards in professional engagement, event organisation, and membership drive. Its record of impact and consistency in promoting the Institute’s ideals of corporate governance and administrative excellence remains truly commendable.
The theme of the Summit, “Governance Redefined in a Business Environment: A Continuum or New Paradigms”, is both timely and thought-provoking. It invites us to critically examine the trajectory of governance practice to determine whether the evolution we are witnessing in today’s fast-changing world represents a logical continuation of existing norms or a paradigm shift that demands new mindsets and methodologies.
In today’s business landscape, shaped by technological disruptions, regulatory innovations, and socio-economic complexities, governance cannot be viewed through a static lens. We are experiencing a redefinition—a dynamic transformation—in the way organisations are directed, controlled, and held accountable. The governance professional is now expected not only to comply but also to strategically interpret and apply governance principles to enhance organisational resilience, stakeholder confidence, and sustainable value creation.
The relevance of this theme cannot, therefore, be overstated. Across industries, we are witnessing increasing demands for ethical leadership, transparency, inclusiveness, and adaptability. Global investors and regulators are equally raising the bar on governance expectations. It is indeed imperative for governance professionals to stay ahead of the curve and continually evolve in their thinking, skills, and practice.
This Summit thus provides a veritable platform for deep reflection and robust discourse on emerging governance paradigms, whether in corporate boardrooms, public sector institutions, or civil society organisations. We must ask ourselves: Are we still operating within traditional governance models, or are we embracing new frameworks better suited to the complexities of today’s interconnected, digitised world?
With new paradigms come challenges. Leaders and Boards must navigate complex regulatory environments, manage emerging risks and balance competing stakeholder interests. Governance today embodies both continuity and change. While the core principles of accountability, fairness, responsibility, and transparency remain immutable, their expression and application are being reshaped by emerging realities, digital transformation, ESG imperatives, stakeholder activism, and shifting socio-economic values. The governance professional must therefore remain agile, data-driven, and forward-thinking, while upholding integrity and accountability as timeless constants. I anticipate that this Summit’s discussions will illuminate those issues in detail and offer practical insights for adaptation.
Let me also specially commend the leadership of the Lagos State Chapter, ably led by Ms. Efosa Ewere, FCIS, and her hardworking team for their vision, diligence, and commitment. You have demonstrated the Chapter’s reputation for excellence and innovation.
Chapters are crucial tentacles for ICSAN’s outreach, visibility, and impact. Therefore, we will continue to provide the necessary support to enable them to thrive and sustain the momentum of professional advancement and institutional development for which ICSAN is known.
Our Chapters are not just administrative arms; they are vibrant hubs for professional interaction, community engagement, and policy advocacy. It is through their initiatives that the Institute’s ideals find expression in local contexts and in the everyday work of our members.
Please permit me to join the Chapter to thank Dr Dayo Mobereola for accepting to be the Chairman of this summit. I must also commend the Chapter for the careful selection of distinguished speakers and panelists, all accomplished professionals drawn from various sectors, academia, public service, private enterprise, and civil society. Having Professor Yinka Omorogbe, SAN, a renowned scholar, seasoned administrator, and respected voice in oil and gas law, as the Keynote Speaker further lends profound depth and credibility to today’s discourse. We eagerly look forward to her illuminating perspectives, as well as those of the eminent panelists who will contribute and enrich the discourse at this Summit.
ICSAN remains unwavering in its commitment to building capacity, strengthening governance consciousness, and equipping our members with relevant skills to navigate the evolving governance environment.
I encourage all participants to make the most of the opportunities this Summit presents, participate actively, ask questions, network meaningfully, and take away lessons that will enrich your practice and your organisations. Let us all continue to uphold ICSAN’s values: integrity, professionalism, service, and leadership. These are the cornerstones of sustainable governance.
Once again, congratulations to the Lagos State Chapter for hosting this Summit. May today’s deliberations broaden our perspectives, ignite innovative ideas, and strengthen our resolve to promote ethical governance and institutional excellence across all sectors. Together, let us continue to redefine governance, not only as a professional ideal but as a living practice that transforms institutions, enhances trust, and drives national development.
ICSAN! Greater Together!
God bless ICSAN.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS
President/Chairman of the Governing Council
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN)