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.
Olawale said AI was rapidly transforming corporate governance by reshaping decision-making, accountability, and risk management.
He emphasised that corporate governance now extends beyond compliance and reporting, requiring integration of strategy, innovation, and technology.
He cautioned that governance professionals must balance technology use with ethics, legality, and transparency.
“We should not feel threatened by AI. We only need to constantly upscale ourselves, understand its limits, and integrate it effectively,” he said.
Olawale explained that ICSAN’s 49th Annual Conference would examine the future of governance in a world defined by technological disruptions.
The conference will hold on Sept. 18 and 19 with the theme: Reimagining Governance: Navigating the Artificial Intelligence Revolution for Excellence.
“One of the sub-themes, Balancing AI with Ethics and Accountability, will address legal and ethical concerns surrounding AI in governance,” he added.
He noted that participants would gain practical insights to overcome disruption fears and embrace innovation with confidence.
“Information is power. Knowledge is power. Attendees will leave better equipped to handle innovations and disruptions,” he said.
He explained that the conference would attract legal experts, regulators, company secretaries, and academics from within and outside Nigeria.
The event 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.
He said communiques from the gathering would be published and shared with government agencies to guide policy formulation.
He added that the conference would feature awards, including Chartered Secretary of the Year, Corporate Governance Excellence Award, and Media Award.
Olawale assured that ICSAN remained committed to strengthening professionals’ confidence and competence in navigating disruptive technologies.
Beyond the annual event, he said ICSAN is dedicated to capacity building, advocacy, and awareness creation across various economic sectors.
He stressed that professional bodies must objectively critique government policies while supporting positive reforms.
“We want people to become more knowledgeable, confident, and open to innovation,” he said.
