Chartered secretaries get new president
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has formally installed Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS, as its 30th President and Chairman of Council. The ceremony, held on Tuesday in Lagos, marked a transition in the leadership of the professional body dedicated to advancing corporate governance in Nigeria. Ukpanah who serves as the Company […]
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has formally installed Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS, as its 30th President and Chairman of Council.
The ceremony, held on Tuesday in Lagos, marked a transition in the leadership of the professional body dedicated to advancing corporate governance in Nigeria.
Ukpanah who serves as the Company Secretary at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and the MTN Nigeria Foundation, succeeds Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, becoming the second consecutive female to lead the Institute.
Reflecting on her two-year tenure, the outgoing President highlighted achievements across governance advocacy, regulatory partnerships, institutional visibility, and academic innovation.
Notable milestones included the commencement of ICSAN’s National Secretariat building project, linkage agreements with six universities, the launch of an MSc in Corporate Governance in partnership with NILDS and the University of Benin, and the publication of a governance textbook.
“We made deliberate and structured efforts to position ICSAN as a thought leader in governance advocacy,” Ekundayo said, adding that the Institute’s influence expanded through enhanced media visibility, public engagements, and strengthened relationships with regulatory bodies like CAC, SEC, and FRC.
Ukpanah pledged to build on the legacies of her predecessors under the theme “Expanding the Scope of Developments, Building on Legacy of Visionary Leadership.”
She said the new administration would prioritize membership growth, digital transformation, northern expansion, youth inclusion, and the completion of the National Secretariat building.
“We will not only amplify existing initiatives but explore new terrains that challenge our comfort zones and awaken the latent potentials of our community,” she said.
Outlining her roadmap, Ukpanah announced plans to launch a Young Professionals Forum targeting Gen Z, expand ICSAN’s digital platforms under “ICSAN Digital 2.0,” and deepen academic collaborations with universities and regulators.
She also reaffirmed commitment to reposition the Institute through the proposed passage of the ICSAN Amendment Bill, which would rename it the Corporate Governance Institute of Nigeria (CGIN).
“As we move forward, we will sustain ICSAN’s voice in national discourse, strengthen our collaborations with regulators, and reinforce our role as a custodian of good governance principles,” she said.
The event was attended by past Presidents of ICSAN, captains of industry, government officials, governance professionals, and members of the diplomatic and academic community.