Ethics, character and competence will define future professionals, says ICSAN president

Professionals who will distinguish themselves in the coming years, are those who can combine ethics with excellence, and character with competence, Funmi Ekundayo, President of Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria has said.

Speaking at the 24th induction ceremony of 113 graduates and 319 associates into the institute, in Lagos, Funmi noted that a solid reputation built on professionalism and ethical conduct is a priceless asset that will open doors, command trust, and sustain professional’s relevance, no matter the disruptions that come.

She charged the inductees to let their journey as chartered secretaries and administrators be defined by service, innovation, and leadership. “The Institute stands beside you in this journey, offering guidance, encouragement, and a platform for your continuous evolution”.

The ICSAN president said the economy is in a time when governance and administrative roles are evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by emerging technologies, regulatory shifts, sustainability demands, and changing societal expectations.

“As such, the relevance and impact of chartered secretaries and administrators are becoming even more pronounced, especially in shaping ethical, efficient, and forward-looking institutions.

“Whether you serve in boardrooms, regulatory bodies, ministries, or private enterprises, your capacity to innovate, to lead ethically, and to uphold governance standards will set you apart in this competitive landscape”, she advised.

She reminded the inductees that they are not just administrators, “you are institutional architects, trusted advisors, and strategic enablers of transformation”.

Speaking on the topic of the induction ceremony ‘Unlocking Your Potential in a Changing Corporate and Public Sector Landscape’, she said a nation thrives when its professionals are operating at their full capacity.

“Nigeria needs value-driven, future-focused Chartered Secretaries and Administrators who can contribute not just to institutional growth but also to nation-building. When you unlock your potential, you unlock prosperity, resilience, and good governance for the country as a whole.

“When you operate at your best, Nigeria reaps the dividends in terms of , sound policy implementation, restored public confidence in the systems and sustainable development”.

She further said that the theme challenges each of the inductees to look inward, identify their unique strengths, and rise confidently to the opportunities that change brings because today’s governance environment demands a new breed of professionals, that is, those who are not just technically sound, but also innovative, and deeply attuned to the pulse of change.

Abiola Sanni, the guest speaker who spoke on the topic: ‘Unlocking Your Potential in a Changing Corporate and Public Sector Landscape’ listed strategies to unlock potential to include governance skill; knowledge of legal framework even when you are not a lawyer; understanding the sector you operate in; upholding ethics, documenting accurately; learning continuously and be tech enabled.

Other factors include having a crystal-clear vision, pushing beyond one’s confine zone and refocusing thinking.

Sanni who is Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos said the topic is timely when the professionals are opening a new chapter and looking for opportunities.

To further unlock potentials, Sanni advised the inductees that when others sit, they should stand; when others stand, they should be outstanding and remain standard in their profession.