The President of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Funmi Ekundayo, has called for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance corporate governance and sustainability in Nigeria.
She made the call on Wednesday at the ICSAN 2025 Company Secretaries and Registrars’ Forum in Lagos.
Speaking on the forum’s theme, “Enhancing the AI Mindset in Delivering Sustainability Principles on Data Management and Governance,” Ekundayo emphasized that AI is no longer just an emerging trend but a crucial tool for strengthening governance frameworks, improving compliance, and ensuring sustainable business practices.
“The intersection of AI, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, and data management is now central to corporate sustainability. As governance professionals, we must not only understand these concepts but also lead their adoption in our organisations,” she stated.
Delivering the keynote address, Christopher Ogirri, Associate Director & Data Engineering Lead, Africa Tech Platforms AI & Data Services, KPMG, highlighted the necessity of AI-driven solutions in corporate governance. He underscored AI’s role in automating compliance reporting, reducing errors, improving risk assessment, and streamlining governance processes.
Ogirri also noted that ESG reporting will become mandatory in Nigeria by 2028, with large public interest entities expected to comply by 2027, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must follow by 2030. He urged company secretaries and registrars to prepare for the shift, as regulators such as the Financial Reporting Council, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Nigerian Exchange Group tighten compliance requirements.
A panel discussion featured industry experts, including Leo Okafor, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary of United Capital Plc; Bamidele Oseni, Managing Partner of Caleb Consulting Uganda Ltd; and Clifford Akpolo, Head of Group Communications and Partnerships at NGX Group.
The panellists shared insights on how AI can optimise data management, enhance corporate governance practices, and ensure regulatory compliance. They also discussed the increasing significance of ESG in investment decisions.
Reaffirming its commitment to corporate governance and sustainability, ICSAN urged governance professionals to embrace global best practices and leverage AI for enhanced compliance and efficiency.