Upper house moves forward with legislation to rechristen public administration think tank

A bill aimed at re-establishing and redesignating the Institute as the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria has successfully cleared the second reading hurdle in the Senate, bringing Nigeria's governance profession one step closer to meeting global standards.

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The proposed legislation, formally known as A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria Act and Enact the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria to Provide for Standards of Knowledge, Skills and Professional Conduct, 2026 (SB. 89), is sponsored by Senators Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli and Osita Izunaso.

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Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, has referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service for further scrutiny, with a specific directive to report back within a four-week timeframe.

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Senator Alli, who led the debate on the bill, emphasized the need to modernize Nigeria's governance framework and bring the profession in line with global developments, highlighting that good governance is essential for sustainable development, institutional efficiency, transparency, and economic growth.

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He noted that governance professionals now play critical roles that extend far beyond traditional administrative functions, and that the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria has a long history of contributing to corporate governance, compliance, and ethical standards in both the public and private sectors.

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However, Senator Alli pointed out that global practices have evolved, with governance roles now encompassing board advisory services, risk management, sustainability oversight, compliance monitoring, and institutional accountability.

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Countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have already adopted the "Chartered Governance Institute" designation to reflect these expanded responsibilities, and Senator Alli argued that Nigeria must keep pace with this global shift.

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The bill aims to reposition the institute as a modern governance body, strengthen corporate governance frameworks, enhance professional certification and training, and promote ethical standards across sectors.

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Lawmakers believe that the reform will have a positive impact on public sector accountability, investor confidence, transparency, and regulatory compliance, and that improved governance standards will help reduce corruption, enhance service delivery, and improve national competitiveness.

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Senator Alli assured that the transition will not impose a significant financial burden, as the institute will continue to operate using its existing infrastructure and personnel, with only minimal administrative adjustments expected.

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He described the bill as a forward-looking reform that will strengthen governance practice and make a meaningful contribution to national development.

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In a related development, the Senate also considered another bill seeking to establish the Chartered Institute of Safety Engineers, which successfully passed the second reading and was referred to committee for further legislative work.