Sanwo-Olu, Sultan of Sokoto Get NIM Honorary Fellowships at 2025 Management Day
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to fostering professional excellence as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was bestowed with an Honorary Fellowship by the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) during the 2025 Management Day Lecture held in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Hundeyin, applauded the Institute for its longstanding contribution to building ethical, sustainable and purpose-driven leadership across sectors. He noted that strong management practices remain the backbone of resilient institutions and a catalyst for national progress.
The event, themed “Sustainable and Purpose-Driven Organizations: ESG, Circular Economy and Beyond,” was officially declared open by the Institute’s President and Chairman of Council, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd). Ayuba proposed that November 19 be formally designated as a national day to celebrate the management profession, citing its significance to organisational and national development.
Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director of Verakki Partners and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Niyi Yusuf, shed light on the immense value of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks and circular economy models for Nigeria’s socioeconomic advancement.
Yusuf explained that while profit keeps organisations alive, national purpose ensures long-term sustainability—urging corporate leaders to embed sustainability principles into their operational and governance systems. He maintained that ESG should not be viewed as an additional burden but as a strategic investment that enhances longevity and competitiveness.
He added that Nigeria must improve coordination, monitoring and enforcement of ESG codes, stressing that the circular economy represents the next phase of industrial productivity. Citing global projections, he noted that the ESG market is expected to soar from US$35.48 trillion in 2025 to US$167.49 trillion by 2034, presenting vast opportunities for Nigerian businesses to tap into.
In a landmark development, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, was also awarded an Honorary Fellowship—his first recognition from the Institute. He joined Governor Sanwo-Olu and several other public and private sector leaders honoured for their distinguished contributions to organisational management and national development.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of long-service awards to NIM staff who have devoted a decade or more to the Institute’s mission of advancing management excellence in Nigeria.
