The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria has urged governance professionals across the country to embrace digital transformation and integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance principles into their operations to remain relevant in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Summit of the ICSAN Lagos State Chapter held in Lekki, Lagos on Thursday, the President and Chairman of Council, Uto Ukpanah, said governance must evolve beyond traditional compliance to reflect innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in decision-making.

Ukpanah noted that the global business landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift driven by technology, data, and sustainability imperatives, stressing that professionals must continually update their skills to meet emerging governance demands.

She said, “Governance is no longer just about ticking boxes or ensuring regulatory compliance. It’s about creating value, ensuring ethical leadership, and aligning corporate practices with broader societal goals such as ESG standards and technological advancement.”

In his keynote speech, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dayo Mobereola, said the summit, themed “Governance Redefined in a Business Environment: A Continuum or New Paradigms,” was organised to equip members with practical insights on adapting governance structures to new realities.

Mobereola explained that the digital revolution, artificial intelligence, and environmental sustainability concerns have significantly changed how boards, regulators, and organisations operate, adding that governance professionals must be proactive in shaping these changes.

He said, “The world is changing fast, and governance professionals must change with it. Our role is to guide organisations through ethical transitions that balance profit with purpose.”

The event attracted corporate leaders, legal experts, and governance practitioners who discussed topics such as board effectiveness, cyber governance, ethics, and digital transformation.

Speakers at the summit, including industry experts, called for stronger policy alignment between government and the private sector to ensure that governance practices in Nigeria meet international standards and drive sustainable growth.