Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) that the Federal Government will engage key stakeholders to accelerate the passage of its amendment bill currently before the National Assembly.
The proposed legislation seeks to rename the institute and expand its mandate beyond traditional secretarial functions to better align with modern governance standards and global best practices.
Shettima gave the assurance on Friday when a delegation from ICSAN, led by its 30th President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mrs Uto Ukpanah, paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The Vice President congratulated the institute on its 60th anniversary, describing it as a milestone that reflects decades of professionalism, integrity, and institutional development in Nigeria’s governance space.
“You have earned it, and the nation is better for the work you have done,” Shettima said, noting the institute’s longstanding contribution to strengthening governance systems in both public and private sectors.
He pledged the administration’s backing for the passage of the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria (CGIN) Bill, stressing that efforts would be made to engage stakeholders and fast-track legislative approval.
“Collectively, we will pull out all the plugs and reach out to all the major stakeholders to ensure that we fast-track the passage of the amendment bill,” he added.
Shettima also encouraged the institute to strengthen its institutional sustainability by developing income-generating initiatives around its assets, including its proposed headquarters project.
He noted that attaining chartered status would further raise expectations on the institute, urging it to prepare for expanded responsibilities and influence.
“Be rest assured that I am fully onboard and that we will support you in whatever way we can,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs Ukpanah thanked the Vice President for the audience and highlighted ICSAN’s 60-year legacy of promoting governance standards and institutional accountability across sectors.
She said the proposed bill is essential to reposition the institute in line with evolving global governance practices and disclosed plans for its 60th anniversary celebration scheduled for June 26, 2026.
Ukpanah also appealed for government support in fast-tracking the bill’s passage and for assistance in funding the institute’s building project in Lagos.
