•Says leadership training, institutional integrity remain vital to national development
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening corporate governance and leadership capacity through deeper collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD).
Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke at the weekend during a courtesy visit by the members of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria led by its President and Chairman, Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, at the Lagos House, Marina.
He described the Institute as a critical partner in promoting sound corporate governance in both the public and private sectors, stressing that leadership training and institutional integrity remain vital to national development.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while reiterating his administration’s commitment to the establishment of the Lagos International Financial Centre, highlighted the State Government’s ongoing push to establish itself as an international financial centre, noting that strong institutions and transparent processes are essential to attracting and retaining foreign direct and portfolio investments.
He said the Lagos State Government is working with the Federal Government and other major stakeholders and organisations, both local and international, to reposition Lagos as a competitive global investment destination, adding that credible professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Directors play a validating role in that process.
The Governor also disclosed that the Lagos State Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council to deepen international trade and investment collaboration across Commonwealth countries.
Governor Sanwo-Olu assured the Chartered Institute of Directors of continued government support, including collaboration on conferences, capacity-building initiatives, and its proposed future development projects in Lagos.
Speaking earlier, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria, Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, commended the Lagos State Government for its reform-driven agenda and commitment to institutional development.
He also expressed the Institute’s readiness to continuously partner with the Lagos State Government in advancing best practices in corporate governance.
“The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria reaffirms its readiness to partner with Lagos State to deepen governance excellence, strengthen leadership capacity, and advance sustainable development. Both the CIoD Nigeria and the Government of Lagos State share a firm belief in integrity, performance, accountability, and transformative leadership.
“We thank distinguished leaders for your warm reception and commend your remarkable achievements, unwavering dedication and inspiring commitment to building a prosperous, dignified, and globally competitive Lagos State,” he said.
Oyebanji said robust approval and participation of permanent secretaries and directors from various ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals in the Lagos State Civil Service as members of the Institute are viewed as a testament to the State’s progressive culture and its dedication to institutionalising best governance practices.
“We appreciate Governor Sanwo-Olu for approving a large membership base from the state. We respectfully extend our invitation to expand our reach to distinguished leaders, members of the State Executive Council, and senior public officers who have not been captured previously to join the Institute,” he said
