Lagos: The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD) has unveiled the Chartered Director Certification Programme (CDCP) aimed at boosting the professional competencies of directors and enhancing corporate governance standards across the country. Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, President of CIoD, announced this at a recent news conference in Lagos, themed ‘Advancing Board Excellence and Corporate Governance Through the Chartered Director Certification’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the CDCP follows the institute’s attainment of chartered status under the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2023. This new development provides a structured pathway for developing and validating professional directorship. Oyebanji emphasized the critical role of quality leadership in boardrooms for sustainable institutional and national development, highlighting the impact board decisions have on organizations and the broader economy. Directors, he noted, are expected to provide strategic direction, oversee management, safeguard stakeholder interests, and ensure accountability and sustainable value creation.
While experience remains important, Oyebanji pointed out that it is no longer sufficient on its own. Directors need a structured pathway to develop their knowledge, validate their competence, and continually strengthen their professional standards. The programme will combine structured learning, practical boardroom experience, examinations, and experience-based assessment, delivered through a flexible virtual learning model.
The certification pathway consists of three stages: the certificate in company directorship, the advanced certificate in company directorship, and the chartered directorship stage. The first stage focuses on foundational competencies in company direction, corporate governance, leadership, and board effectiveness, while the second stage develops advanced capabilities in strategy, finance, risk governance, sustainability, and digital transformation. The final stage involves an experience-based assessment and a professional interview to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and judgment in practical boardroom situations.
Successful candidates will be awarded the chartered director designation and can use the professional suffix ‘Ch.Dir’, subject to the institute’s professional rules and standards. Oyebanji stated that this designation signifies demonstrated competence, professional credibility, ethical leadership, and a commitment to high standards of directorship and corporate governance.
Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, First Vice President of CIoD, described the initiative as timely, given the challenges confronting boards, such as economic uncertainty, technological disruption, cybersecurity threats, sustainability concerns, and evolving regulations. She emphasized the need for directors to be equipped to ask appropriate questions, challenge assumptions constructively, and make decisions that protect institutional value and public trust.
Mrs. Foluso Olaniyan, Chairman of the Director Development and Certification Committee, highlighted the program’s value proposition, including advanced knowledge, access to professional resources, career development, strengthened governance capability, and the opportunity to practice as a consultant. Registration for the program begins on Wednesday, with the first cycle starting on September 22.
Dr. Taiwo Nolas-Alausa, Director-General of CIoD, stated that the standard of directorship affects employees, investors, customers, communities, and public institutions. With the chartered status, the institute now has the opportunity and obligation to define, develop, assess, and recognize professional standards in directorship. The program is designed to equip directors to operate effectively amid technological change, complex risks, heightened stakeholder expectations, and increased public scrutiny, covering areas such as governance, strategy, financial stewardship, risk and internal control, board effectiveness, sustainability, and digital transformation.
The CIoD Academy will deliver the program through structured learning and assessment, supported by experienced practitioners and a flexible blended format. Oyebanji also noted that the certification includes clear eligibility criteria, rigorous learning, fair assessment, strict adherence to the institute’s code of conduct, and mandatory continuous professional development.