CIoD South West elects new president, number of members increases by 50%

Fawaz Adebisi

The Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria has inaugurated Dr. Remilekun Bakare as the new president of its South West zone, with a mandate to deepen corporate governance and ethical leadership, while the institute announced a 50% increase in active members across the region.

Bakare was sworn in on Wednesday at the third South West Zone investiture ceremony held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, succeeding High Chief Bode Mustapha, whose two-year tenure saw significant growth in membership and increased stakeholder engagement.

In his farewell speech, Mustapha revealed that the number of active members in the area has increased from 54 to 81 members through aggressive recruitment and reactivation campaigns.

He said the zone recruited 27 new members, reactivated 11 inactive members and attracted over 150 prospective members from Ogun and neighboring states, including senior executives, entrepreneurs and public sector leaders.

According to him, two associate members have been elevated to the rank of full members, while two others have been granted the prestigious status of members of the institute.

Mustapha added that 26 members attended the Company’s Directors Course to strengthen board skills, while eight members attended the 2025 Annual Directors Conference in Abuja, with the South West Zone contributing about N7 million towards the success of the event.

He said the institute has also broadened its reach through strategic engagements with more than 20 organizations and institutions across the South West and strengthened partnerships with hospitality businesses under its Partnership Advantage programme.

The outgoing president, however, identified major economic challenges as the main obstacle to expanding membership, saying growing financial pressures had discouraged many qualified professionals from joining the institute.

He urged the national leadership of the institute to review membership fees and introduce flexible payment plans for practitioners outside Lagos to encourage wider participation.

“I commend the incoming President and his Executive Committee with immense confidence to build on these achievements and take the South West Zone to even greater heights,” Mustapha said.

In his acceptance speech, Bakare pledged to build on the achievements of the outgoing leadership by strengthening member engagement, promoting ethical corporate governance and expanding the institute’s influence in the South West.

Describing the institute as Nigeria’s premier professional body for conductors, Bakare promised transparent leadership, better communication with members, stronger partnerships and deliberate investment in the development of young conductors.

“You don’t get medals for trying. You get medals for results, and results are what we promise,” he said.

The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, has charged the new executive to position the South West zone as a model of corporate governance and ethical leadership.

He urged members to actively participate in the institute’s programs beyond paying annual dues, stressing that integrity, transparency and accountability must remain the guiding principles of every director.

Oyebanji also called for greater support on governance issues, expansion of the Young Directors Forum and greater contribution from the South West Zone to national debates on corporate leadership.

Representing Ogun State Government, Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele described Bakare’s emergence as deserved, saying his wealth of professional experience had prepared him for this responsibility.

He noted that Ogun’s growing status as an industrial and investment hub requires competent directors, ethics committees and sound corporate governance to support economic development.

“The institute has a strategic role to play in strengthening the bridge between government and the private sector, mentoring future business leaders and promoting accountability and professionalism,” he said.

Salako-Oyedele urged the new leadership to deepen collaboration with businesses, entrepreneurs and public institutions across the South West to broaden the impact of the institute and attract more professionals to its fold.

Other officials inaugurated include Mr Olaoluwa Osundina as Vice President, Mr Taiwo Olalekan as Honorary Treasurer, Mrs Vera Funmilayo as Honorary Secretary and Mrs Ronke Akinleye as Honorary Assistant Secretary.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, business leaders, traditional rulers and members of the institute from across the South West.

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