The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD) has sought the support of the Lagos State Government to deepen corporate governance capacity in the public sector.
The President and Chairman of Council of the institute, Adetunji Oyebanji, made the request in a communiqué on Wednesday during a visit by the institute’s leadership to the state government.
Oyebanji said the visit was aimed at introducing the institute’s new leadership and strengthening collaboration with the state in promoting ethical leadership and professional integrity in public institutions.
He noted that the institute’s new administration, which assumed 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 on implementation, collaboration and engagement to advance governance standards in both the public and private sectors.
Oyebanji commended the Governor of Lagos State, 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.
Oyebanji explained that the institute was proposing a strategic partnership framework with the state built on two key pillars: membership expansion and executive training programmes.
“The first pillar is the membership of CIoD Nigeria. We appreciate the governor for approving a large membership base from the state.
“We respectfully extend our invitation to members of the state executive council and other senior public officers who have not been captured previously to join the institute,” he said.
He added that 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 offers masterclasses and governance programmes for directors and senior executives to enhance strategic oversight, accountability and institutional performance.
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.
The CIoD president 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 conditions.
He, however, said the institute had used the period to review and strengthen the development roadmap to ensure a resilient and sustainable project.
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.
Oyebanji also solicited the state government’s assistance in constructing the project, describing it as essential for establishing a centre of excellence for corporate governance and leadership development.
He disclosed that Lagos would host the 2026 edition of the institute’s Annual Directors’ Conference and appealed to the governor to serve as chief host for the event.
Responding, Gov. Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of leadership and corporate governance, as well as initiatives such as the Lagos International Financial Centre and Invest Lagos 3.0.
He affirmed that Lagos thrives when governance is strong and accountability is taken seriously.
“I commend the institute’s commitment to raising standards and shaping ethical leadership across the country,” the governor said.