L-R: Registrar of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, Babatunde Okuneye, ACIS; Chairman of the Institute’s Corporate Members and Training Committee, Biola Laseinde, FCIS and a member the Committee, Solape Olasuyi, ACIS, at the Pre-event News briefing on the Institute’s forthcoming 2025 Company Secretaries and Registrars’ Forum which held at the Institute’s Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos.Photo ICSAN

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, has unveiled plans for governance professionals to explore Artificial Intelligence, AI, integration to deliver effectively in governance and data management.

ICSAN stresses the need to change the narrative on technology adoption, particularly among professionals to enhance organisational efficiency.

Its Chairperson, Corporate Members and Training Committee, Abiola Laseinde, says Artificial Intelligence, AI’s adoption would create a shift in mindsets from fear of AI to actively leveraging it as a tool for efficiency and innovation.

Laseinde notes that many professionals, particularly those from older generations, struggled to adapt to Artificial Intelligence-driven tools, saying as governance professionals, they deal heavily with data by virtue of their position.

According to her, as company secretaries, they have directors and shareholders’ data that they manage under strict confidentiality with the right parameters and the principles of data, privacy, management, governance structure.

Laseinde reaffirms the institutes commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into corporate governance frameworks, as it prepares to host the 2025 Company Secretaries and Registrars Forum.

According to Laseinde, Artificial Intelligence is becoming an indispensable tool in corporate administration, particularly in areas such as regulatory compliance, data privacy, and decision-making processes.

She notes that as organisations increasingly rely on technology for governance structures, professionals must adapt to stay relevant.

Laseinde said this during a news briefing held to discuss the institute’s upcoming Company Secretaries and Registrars’ Forum scheduled for 19th March in Lagos.

According to her, the theme of the Company Secretaries and Registrars’ Forum is: “Enhancing the AI Mindset in Delivering Sustainability Principles on Data Management and Governance.”

She said the forum will provide a strategic platform for discussing how Artificial Intelligence can enhance compliance, risk management, and operational efficiency.

In her words, the forum would offer in-depth examination of Artificial Intelligence’s role in governance and risk management and bridge the gap between technological advancements and governance practices.

She added that it targeted company secretaries, compliance officers, risk managers, legal experts, and finance professionals.

Laseinde urged participants to approach the forum with an open mind, emphasising that Artificial Intelligence was here to stay and must be harnessed for professional advancement.

She also cautioned against the risks of Artificial Intelligence ignorance, stating that failure to understand and adapt to Artificial Intelligence could lead to vulnerabilities in data security and governance practices.

Laseinde expressed optimism that the forum would encourage participants to develop policies and position papers on Artificial Intelligence adoption in their organisations.

She said the Company Secretaries and Registrars’ Forum serves as a platform to acquaint participants with contemporary practices and pertinent governance issues of national significance.

According to her, it is a capacity boosting governance for professionals in governance field especially the company secretaries, registrars and issuers.

Laseinde said it is organised for Governance professionals in general and the following in particular, Company Secretaries, Registrars Directors, Non-executive Directors, Issues, Compliance Managers, Senior Managers, Brokers/Business Promoters, Regulatory and Professional Bodies etc.

According to her, for this year’s a number of seasoned specialists and governance professionals have been lined up to engage this exciting topic.

She noted that the Keynote Speaker is Associate Director & Data Engineering Lead (Africa)Tech Platforms (AI & Data Services) KPMG, Christopher Ogirri, while a 3-man Panel of seasoned Discussants, drawn from diverse backgrounds, will add insightful perspectives to the discourse.

The Discussants are the Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser, the United Capital Plc, Dr. Leo Okafor, FCIS, the second Discussant is an Uganda-based Corporate Governance Specialist, Bamidele Oseni, ACIS while the third discussant is the Head, Group Communications and Partnerships, NGX, Clifford Akpolo.

ICSAN Registrar, Babatunde Okuneye, encouraged professionals to embrace technology, warning that resistance to it could render them irrelevant in their fields.

Okuneye highlighted the growing significance of Artificial Intelligence-driven data management systems in corporate governance.

He stressed that companies and governance professionals who fail to embrace digital transformation risk falling behind in an increasingly automated world.

Okuneye said Data is the new oil, and Artificial Intelligence-driven governance is the future, saying the forum is to enlighten participants on how they can leverage Artificial Intelligence to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in corporate administration.

He said the forum has been held annually for nearly a decade, focusing on bringing together key players from the capital markets, saying the event aims to create a niche around capital market operations and has seen remarkable achievements in addressing topical issues and pain points.

Speaking on the upcoming event, ICSAN Corporate Members and Training Committee, Solape Olasuyi, said the annual forum was to enhance the performance and skills of all participants.

According to Adesuyi, this year’s conference aims to provide relevant and up-to-date knowledge for professionals from various sectors, including the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the capital markets, and data protection specialists.

Olasuyi said special emphasis is placed on registrars in the capital markets, professionals in data and Artificial Intelligence, and individuals in the technological space looking to integrate technology into corporate governance.

She added that the forum would feature thought leaders from key sectors, including the Nigerian capital market, banking, insurance, and technology.