The Federal Government has called for a shift from routine administrative oversight to strategic foresight as part of efforts to achieve Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the investiture of Mrs Rose Eshiett as Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria, Abuja Zone, and the inauguration of its 11th Executive Committee. The event brought together key players in governance and corporate leadership to strengthen boardroom excellence and promote sustainable value creation amid economic uncertainty.
Enoh stressed that Nigeria can no longer rely on outdated supervision systems if it hopes to meet long-term development goals. Leadership must become more proactive and forward-looking. “The model of oversight is long expired. It is the initiative and foresight of leadership that will make the difference in corporate organisations and government establishments,” he said.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is pursuing bold economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition the economy and lay the foundation for long-term growth. Achieving a $1 trillion economy will depend on leaders in both public and private sectors thinking ahead, anticipating challenges, and designing policies that respond to future realities.
In her remarks, the newly inaugurated Chairman of CIoD Abuja Zone, Mrs Rose Eshiett, pledged to reposition the institute to be more visible, influential, and financially sustainable. She emphasised the need for stronger roles in promoting ethical leadership, corporate governance, and professionalism across sectors. “Not many people know CIoD exists in Nigeria. We want it more visible because of its advantages. We also aim to increase membership, as Nigeria needs good governance, ethical leadership, and boardroom excellence,” she said.
Eshiett added that revenue generation is a key focus, as stronger funding is necessary to sustain governance training and capacity-building programmes. She pledged to draw from her 35 years of experience at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to strengthen mentorship and governance training for decision-makers.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Esther Walson-Jack, praised the new CIoD leadership, noting that the civil service is undergoing reforms anchored on professionalism, innovation, and accountability. She called for closer collaboration between the civil service and CIoD to strengthen leadership capacity among senior public servants and improve service delivery.
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIoD Nigeria, Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, said corporate governance remains central to Nigeria’s economic stability, as board-level decisions directly impact national performance. He stated that the institute is working with government institutions, including the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, to improve the capacity of directors in public enterprises and reduce inefficiencies linked to political interference. CIoD Nigeria remains committed to promoting ethical leadership, governance reforms, and professional development across both public and private sectors.
The institute also reaffirmed its role in training directors and senior executives through globally recognised programmes aimed at strengthening governance systems and improving accountability in Nigeria’s corporate space. CIoD Nigeria serves as the country’s apex professional body for directors across sectors, working with government, private organisations, and international partners to promote ethical leadership and corporate governance.
