Lagos: The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has stressed the need for governance professionals to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing emerging global challenges. Mr Francis Olawale, Vice President of ICSAN, made this known on Monday at a news conference in Lagos to announce the institute’s forthcoming annual conference.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Olawale stated that AI is rapidly transforming corporate governance by reshaping decision-making, accountability, and risk management. He highlighted that corporate governance now extends beyond compliance and reporting, necessitating the integration of strategy, innovation, and technology. He advised governance professionals to balance technology use with ethics, legality, and transparency, emphasizing that AI should not be seen as a threat but as a tool for enhancement.
Olawale further elaborated that ICSAN’s 49th Annual Conference would focus on the future of governance in a world defined by technological disruptions. Scheduled for September 18 and 19, the conference will revolve around the theme: ‘Reimagining Governance: Navigating the Artificial Intelligence Revolution for Excellence’. One of the key sub-themes, ‘Balancing AI with Ethics and Accountability’, aims to address the legal and ethical concerns surrounding AI in governance.
He noted that participants would receive practical insights to overcome fears of disruption and embrace innovation confidently. He asserted, “Information is power. Knowledge is power. Attendees will leave better equipped to handle innovations and disruptions.”
The conference is set to attract legal experts, regulators, company secretaries, and academics from within and outside Nigeria. It will be chaired by Mr Udo Udoma, Board Chairman of Seplat Energy, and Mr Emmanuel Ikazoboh, Chairman of Dangote Cement. Olawale described the conference as an ‘intellectual harvest’ expected to generate actionable recommendations for both public and private sectors, with communiques from the event to be shared with government agencies for policy guidance.
In addition to the discussions, the conference will feature awards such as Chartered Secretary of the Year, Corporate Governance Excellence Award, and Media Award. Olawale assured that ICSAN remains committed to strengthening professionals’ confidence and competence in navigating disruptive technologies.
Beyond the annual event, he stated that ICSAN is dedicated to capacity building, advocacy, and awareness creation across various economic sectors. He stressed the importance of professional bodies in objectively critiquing government policies while supporting positive reforms.