Written By Khadijah Aliyu; Edited By Godwin Duru
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called on governance professionals to spearhead a nationwide campaign for integrity, accountability and ethical leadership, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved without a strong moral foundation.
The Emir made the call during the 60th anniversary celebration of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) and the inauguration of its Kano State Chapter.
Speaking at the occasion, Sanusi lamented the decline in ethical values in the country, describing it as a major factor responsible for Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
The monarch urged members of ICSAN to extend their influence beyond corporate organisations into the public sector, where they can serve as role models and advocates for ethical conduct.
The Emir expressed optimism that the institute would play a leading role in promoting ethical standards and restoring public confidence in governance and public institutions across the country.
Reflecting on Kano’s rich history, the Emir noted that centuries ago, the city ranked among the largest commercial centres in Africa and served as a major hub for trans-Saharan trade.
In her welcome address, ICSAN President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, described the inauguration of the Kano State Chapter as a strategic milestone in the institute’s expansion into one of Nigeria’s most commercially and culturally significant regions.
She said the anniversary celebration represented not only longevity but also relevance, transformation and purpose.
According to her, ICSAN was founded to professionalise governance and strengthen the role of company secretaries and administrators in nation-building.
Mrs. Ukpanah noted that the institute has evolved into a globally recognised professional body influencing governance practices across corporate institutions, public sector organisations, non-profit entities and multilateral engagements.
She disclosed that a bill is currently before the National Assembly seeking to change the institute’s name to the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria (CGIN), a move aimed at aligning the body with similar professional institutes globally and reflecting the broader governance responsibilities of its members.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Excellence in Governance: Sustaining Integrity and Growth,” Professor Abdulmumini Bala Ahmed of the Department of Private and Commercial Law, Faculty of Law, Bayero University Kano, highlighted the critical role of chartered secretaries and administrators in strengthening institutional governance.
He described governance professionals as custodians of corporate integrity, compliance, accountability and institutional effectiveness, noting that their responsibilities extend beyond administrative functions to include advising boards, facilitating sound decision-making and ensuring compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory standards.
Professor Ahmed observed that increasing regulatory scrutiny, stakeholder activism, technological disruption and growing demands for transparency have made the role of governance professionals more important than ever.
