Lagos: Stakeholders on Wednesday said effective implementation of corporate governance and stronger public-private sector collaboration were critical to accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth. They said this at a news conference in Lagos ahead of the third National Corporate Governance Summit. It was organised by the Institute of Directors Centre for Corporate Governance (IoDCCG), Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MoFI), and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Chairman, Board of Governors, IoDCCG, Mr. U.K. Eke, highlighted the significance of implementing corporate governance principles effectively across public and private sectors to bolster economic growth and support Nigeria’s aspiration of becoming a one trillion-dollar economy. Eke noted that increasing participation in previous editions of the summit reflected a growing recognition of the need to institutionalise sound corporate governance across public and private institutions.
Eke stated that the 2026 summit, themed ‘Implementing Good Governance for Economic Acceleration: Consolidating Public-Private Sector Partnership,’ is set to take place on July 21 and 22 in Lagos. The summit will attract Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, business leaders, and other stakeholders to advance discussions on governance and sustainable economic development. Eke also emphasized the need for sustained media engagement to promote a culture of corporate governance and strengthen institutions needed to support Nigeria’s economic aspirations.
Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, mentioned that ongoing economic reforms would only deliver sustainable results when backed by strong institutions and sound governance systems. Olowo described the summit as Nigeria’s foremost platform for dialogue on governance, leadership, and institutional excellence, bringing together policymakers, regulators, investors, governance professionals, and development partners. This year’s edition will focus on practical and implementable solutions to governance challenges capable of accelerating economic growth.
Dr. Olowo highlighted that the theme recognises that economic acceleration cannot be achieved by the government alone, nor can the private sector realize its full potential without effective public institutions. Sustainable development requires trust, collaboration, policy consistency, institutional integrity, and governance systems that inspire confidence among citizens, investors, and development partners. Discussions will focus on governance in state-owned enterprises, board oversight of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, governance in financial institutions, mining sector governance, and building a robust credit economy.
Olowo added that the summit would generate practical recommendations to strengthen governance implementation, improve institutional performance, reinforce investor confidence, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness. Vice President Kashim Shettima will declare the summit open, while Founder and Managing Partner of Trans-Sahara Investment Corporation, Mr. Kyari Abba Bukar, will chair the event. The keynote address will be delivered by the Chairperson of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Juliet Amammah.
According to him, ministers responsible for solid minerals development, marine and blue economy, trade and investment, the Minister of State for Industry, governors, regulators, and private sector leaders are among confirmed participants.
Also speaking, President of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, pointed out that Nigeria’s challenge was no longer the absence of governance frameworks but weak implementation. Ukpanah emphasized that translating governance principles into measurable outcomes is essential to improving investor confidence, attracting capital, creating jobs, and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. She noted that the journey from policy to performance requires leadership commitment, ethical conduct, effective oversight, regulatory consistency, and a culture of accountability across both public and private institutions.
Mrs. Ukpanah asserted that good governance is no longer a compliance exercise but a strategic economic imperative that drives investment, competitiveness, innovation, and long-term prosperity. She said the summit would provide a platform for stakeholders to share best practices, strengthen collaboration between government and businesses, and identify reforms needed to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential. Ukpanah reaffirmed ICSAN’s commitment to promoting good governance as a driver of sustainable economic development in the country.