The Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria has announced the commencement of its 2026 Governing Council Elections, calling on eligible members to participate in the process of electing eight members who will help shape the future direction of the Institute.
In a notice issued to members, the Institute disclosed that voting commenced on June 5, 2026, and urged financially up-to-date members to exercise their voting rights by selecting qualified candidates to serve on the Governing Council.
According to the Institute, only members who had paid their annual membership subscriptions on or before May 31, 2026, are eligible to vote.
Voting credentials are being sent directly to qualified members via email.
The election features a diverse group of accomplished professionals drawn from various sectors, including finance, law, insurance, technology, agribusiness, energy, and corporate governance.
Candidates and Profiles
Among the candidates is Mr. Joseph Mchiaga Tsavsar, F.CIoD, a certified Public-Private Partnerships specialist with more than 25 years of experience in infrastructure development and power sector reforms.
A former Non-Executive Director of Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Tsavsar played a notable role in Nigeria’s power sector privatisation and currently chairs the Institute’s Agric and Agro-Allied Sector Committee.
Also contesting is Mr. Urum Kalu Eke, MFR, F.CIoD, former Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc.
With more than four decades in the financial services industry, Eke has served on the boards of key national institutions, including the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and the Development Bank of Nigeria.
He currently serves as Executive Chairman of Fairchild Group and chairs the Board of Governors of the CIoD Centre for Corporate Governance.
Female Directors
Dr. Funmilayo Bola Babington-Ashaye, F.CIoD, brings over 40 years of experience in the insurance industry.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Risk Analyst Insurance Brokers Limited is a former President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and has held leadership positions at both Cornerstone Insurance and NICON Insurance.
Mrs. Folusho Ibiyemi Olaniyan, OON, F.CIoD, another candidate, is a respected agribusiness strategist and independent non-executive director.
She currently chairs the Investment Committee of Odu’a Investment Company and serves on the Institute’s Governing Council as Chair of the Director Development and Certification Committee.
Corporate governance advocate and legal practitioner, Mrs. Bisi Adeyemi, F.CIoD, is also seeking election.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DCSL Corporate Services Limited previously served as President of the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce and was the first non-founder Chairman of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ).
The list also includes Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe, F.CIoD, a former Executive Director of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System.
She currently serves as Chairperson of Africa Prudential Plc and is known for her expertise in strategy, risk management and technology governance.
Other Contenders
Another contender is Dr. Fatumata Soukouna Coker, F.CIoD, a seasoned board leader with experience spanning 43 African countries.
She chairs the boards of CreditRegistry and Afrinvest and has held senior leadership positions at global technology companies IBM and Microsoft.
Mrs. Abimbola Olakunbi Wright, F.CIoD, brings more than 30 years of banking experience and extensive boardroom expertise.
She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Ecobank Nigeria, MainOne (Equinix), and ARM Capital.
Veteran accountant and business leader, Dr. Amobi Daniel Nwokafor, MFR, F.CIoD, is also on the ballot. With over 35 years of professional experience, he serves as Managing Partner of Amobi Nwokafor & Co. and sits on the board of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc.
Rounding off the field is Pst. Kings C. Akuma, F.CIoD, a banking and finance professional with more than three decades of experience in forensic accounting, due diligence, taxation and corporate governance.
He currently chairs Fidelity Bank’s Board Credit Committee and serves on several key board committees.
The Process
The Institute encouraged members to review the profiles of all candidates before casting their votes, noting that the election presents an important opportunity to strengthen leadership and governance within CIoD Nigeria.
CiOD stated that members can access detailed candidate profiles through the official election portal and are advised to check their email accounts for voting credentials.
About CiOD
According to its official website, CiOD Nigeria was “Founded on 17 May 1983, it has been at the forefront of promoting good governance practices in Nigerian companies and the Public Sector.
“Through its various activities, CIoD Nigeria had helped develop professional standard of directorship, and provided best practice guidelines for company directors to perform their duties effectively.
It is CIoD Nigeria’s belief that effective Directors will lead to successful and well managed organisations resulting in enhanced shareholders value and sustainable growth of the Nigerian economy.”
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