The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria has sought the support of the Lagos government to deepen corporate governance capacity in the public sector.

On Wednesday, Adetunji Oyebanji, the president and chairman of the institute’s council, made the request via a communiqué during a visit by the institute’s leadership to the Lagos government.

Mr Oyebanji said the visit was part of efforts to introduce the institute’s new leadership and strengthen collaboration with the state in promoting ethical leadership and professional integrity in public institutions.

He said the institute’s new administration, which took office on June 27, 2025, was guided by its IMPACT values of integrity, meritocracy, professionalism, accountability, customer-centricity and teamwork.

According to him, the leadership is also driven by a vision anchored in implementation, collaboration, and engagement to advance governance standards in both the public and private sectors.

He commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting the institute, particularly through the approval of membership for permanent secretaries, directors and other senior officials in the state civil service.

He said the participation of Lagos public officers in the institute reflected the state’s commitment to institutionalising sound governance practices.

Mr Oyebanji said the institute was proposing a strategic partnership framework with the state, built on membership expansion and executive training programmes.

He said the second pillar focused on executive training and capacity development programmes designed to strengthen corporate governance, leadership and board effectiveness among public sector leaders.

According to him, the institute provides masterclasses and governance programmes for directors and senior executives to enhance strategic oversight, accountability and institutional performance.

Mr Oyebanji said CIoD also supports organisations through governance forums, leadership retreats, board induction programmes and stakeholder engagement platforms.

He added that the institute maintains a national register of independent directors, comprising vetted professionals across sectors who could provide oversight and strengthen governance in state-owned enterprises and public institutions.

He also briefed the state government on the progress of the proposed CIoD House project, noting that physical construction had not yet commenced due to prevailing economic realities.

He said the institute had used the period to review and strengthen the development roadmap to ensure a resilient and sustainable project.

Mr Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the Lagos State government for granting regulatory support and design approval waivers for the project.

He said the institute would formally re-engage the state government in the coming months as it prepares to move to the next phase of development.

He also solicited the state government’s assistance in constructing the project, describing it as essential to establishing a centre of excellence for corporate governance and leadership development.

Mr Oyebanji disclosed that Lagos would host the 2026 edition of the institute’s Annual Directors’ Conference and appealed to the governor to serve as the chief host.

He said the institute remained committed to partnering with the Lagos State government to strengthen governance standards, leadership capacity and sustainable development.

Mr Sanwo-Olu spoke about leadership, corporate governance, the Lagos International Financial Centre, Invest Lagos 3.0, and the role institutions must continue to play in strengthening both the public and private sectors.

Mr Sanwo-Olu affirmed that Lagos thrived when governance was strong and accountability was taken seriously.

(NAN)