CPSG Organises Symposium On Professionalisation Of Board Appointments in The Public Sector Across Africa
The Centre for Public Sector Governance (CPSG), a public sector-focused subdivision of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), will on Thursday, October 22, 2026, convene governance leaders and other stakeholders to discuss ways of improving board appointments in public enterprises across Africa.
The 2026 Public Sector Directors’ Symposium, to be held virtually from 12 noon to 3 p.m. West Africa Time (WAT), will focus on the theme, “Professionalisation of Board Appointments in Public Enterprises Across Africa”.
The symposium is expected to bring together public sector leaders, policymakers, regulators, board directors, governance professionals, academics and development partners to explore practical measures for promoting merit-based appointments, transparency and accountability in public enterprises.
According to the organisers, public enterprise boards play a critical role in overseeing national assets and essential services, making the competence and integrity of board members essential to effective governance and the delivery of public value.
They noted that appointments driven by patronage rather than professional competence could undermine independent decision-making, effective oversight and the strategic direction required for institutional performance.
The symposium will examine how merit-based nomination criteria, transparent selection processes, integrity standards and relevant professional expertise can strengthen board appointments.
Participants will also discuss director training, certification, continuous professional development and the digital competencies required for effective board oversight in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
The event is expected to identify practical reforms that governments and public enterprise ownership institutions can adopt to improve governance standards and institutional accountability.
Prof. Taiwo Afolabi, an award-winning researcher, entrepreneur and Chartered Director, will deliver the keynote address, while the programme will also feature the former Deputy Premier and Attorney General of Alberta, Canada, The Honourable Kelechi (Kaycee) Madu.
The session will be moderated by Zainab Ibrahim-Louisy, Head of Strategy and Transformation at the National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC).
Panel discussants include Mohammed Kadir Segun of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Gwa Tobbie Mohammed of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Dr Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman of the CPSG Board, will serve as Chairman of the Day.
Beyond examining the challenges associated with existing appointment practices, the symposium aims to advance an actionable reform agenda built around clearer nomination standards, stronger appointment procedures and structured pathways for developing and sustaining directors’ professional competence.
The organisers said the discussions would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to consider reforms capable of strengthening board effectiveness and improving the performance of public enterprises across the continent.
Attendance at the virtual symposium is free, but interested participants are required to register ahead of the event here: https://tr.ee/JWlJEW