Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has urged Nigerian managers and professionals to strengthen ethical leadership, embrace innovation and build institutions capable of responding to rapid economic and technological changes.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat, made the call at the 65th Anniversary Dinner and Awards Night of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in Lagos.
The event, held at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, was themed, “Leading Through Transformation: The Human Element in Modern Leadership.”
The governor warned that professionals who fail to adapt to changing economic and technological realities risk being left behind in an increasingly competitive global economy.
He said rapid urbanisation, technological disruption, economic transformation and changes in the nature of work were placing new demands on leaders across both the public and private sectors.
According to Sanwo-Olu, managers must combine strategic thinking and technical competence with integrity, adaptability and continuous learning to effectively respond to these challenges.
“The challenges before us today range from rapid urbanisation and technological disruption to economic transformation and the changing nature of work, and will require leaders who are strategic, ethical, innovative, and prepared to make difficult decisions in the public interest,” he said.
The governor stressed that strong institutions remain essential to sustaining public trust, stability and long-term development.
He also highlighted the importance of digital transformation and stronger professional standards as Nigerian managers seek to compete in the global economy.
Sanwo-Olu described the role of NIM in developing management professionals as important to Nigeria’s ability to navigate its changing business and economic environment.
He urged the institute to continue promoting excellence and professional standards while ensuring that its values remain relevant to future generations of managers.
“As we celebrate the achievements of the past 65 years, let us reaffirm our commitment to excellence in management and pledge to ensure that the ideals of this Institute endure and thrive for many more decades to come,” he said.
Earlier, the President and Chairman of NIM, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to promoting management excellence and professional development in Nigeria.
Ayuba noted that NIM’s charter, granted by the National Assembly in 2003, expanded the institute’s responsibility to establish standards and systems for evaluating and developing management professionals in the country.
The anniversary dinner also recognised the contributions of past presidents and other professionals to the development of management practice in Nigeria.
A major highlight of the event was the investiture of Hamzat as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management.
