Business leaders and directors have been charged to embrace generational leadership anchored on mentorship, sound institutional governance, and value-driven decision-making to ensure sustainability and long-term growth.
The call was made during the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Fellows Evening held in Lagos, themed “From Vision to Legacy: Cultivating Leadership that Transcends Generations.”
Chairman of Sunu Assurance Nigeria Plc, Mr. Kyari Bukar, said that true leadership now goes beyond profit margins to the ability to build enduring systems, values, and cultures that outlive individuals and leadership transitions.
“As industries evolve and accountability deepens, leadership must move from quarterly profit targets to creating sustainable institutions,” he said.
Bukar cautioned that many organisations fail after leadership transitions due to weak succession planning, noting that “a leader who fails to raise successors is writing a business obituary.”
He urged directors to mentor younger leaders, institutionalise good governance, and balance profit with purpose, stating that “legacy leadership must be built on integrity, resilience, and service.”
CIoD President, Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, echoed similar sentiments, saying leadership should focus on transforming vision into legacy by building people, systems, and values that can sustain positive change across generations.
Oyebanji reaffirmed CIoD’s commitment to promoting ethical governance and excellence in leadership across both public and private sectors.
“As leaders in your respective fields, your impact will shape the future of our nation. The test of leadership lies not in personal success but in the institutions and people you leave behind,” he said.
Chairman of the CIoD Fellows and Awards Committee, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo, described the event as a celebration of responsible leadership, urging new fellows to continue mentoring others and strengthening Nigeria’s governance culture.
“Vision gives direction, but legacy gives meaning,” he said. “True leadership is not measured by titles or wealth but by the standards we set and the lives we impact.”
