Amanze Chinonye
The Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN) has inducted 79 new members into its professional body, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening sustainability practice and corporate governance standards across Nigeria, Prime Business Africa reports.
The induction, which marked the institute’s 2026 Cohort 6 ceremony, was held on Thursday, June 25, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event brought together sustainability practitioners, industry leaders and representatives of leading corporate organisations, including Access Bank, ARM, ARRIDEX, Dangote Cement, FirstBank, IHS, Lotus Bank, Mainstream Energy Solutions, Oando and Seplat Energy.
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With the theme, “Effective Corporate Governance as a Core Sustainability Pillar – Leading the Change,” the ceremony underscored the growing importance of governance in driving sustainable business practices beyond regulatory compliance. Speakers stressed that sustainability has evolved from a reporting requirement into a strategic governance imperative that should shape decision-making, organisational resilience and long-term value creation.
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Delivering the keynote address, Professor Emmanuel Adegbite, Chairperson of SPIN’s Scientific Committee and Professor of Accounting and Corporate Governance at the University of Nottingham, urged the newly inducted members to embrace stewardship rather than treating sustainability as a compliance exercise.
He argued that governance frameworks in Africa should reflect local institutional realities instead of relying solely on imported models, noting that meaningful accountability can only be achieved when sustainability disclosures are underpinned by sound governance.
“Disclosures only translate into accountability when they are underpinned by good governance,” he said, adding that sustainability ambitions would remain unrealised without governance guiding organisational strategy and decision-making.
Speaking at the ceremony, SPIN Vice President, Dr. Ini Abimbola, said the induction of the 79 professionals further strengthened the institute’s position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing communities of sustainability practitioners.
She expressed concern over the growing number of unqualified individuals operating within the sustainability space, stressing that genuine sustainability extends far beyond regulatory reporting.
“Compliance is not sustainability. Governance is the beginning and the end of whether it is environmental, social or sustainability,” she said.
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SPIN President, Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, described sustainability as more than a corporate obligation, saying it is a way of life and a mindset that should be reflected in the actions and values of practitioners.
Highlighting the institute’s growth, he said SPIN has expanded from seven founding members in 2019 to a professional community of more than 400 members, reflecting the increasing recognition of sustainability across industries.
Established in August 2019, SPIN has strengthened its institutional capacity through strategic partnerships, including its collaboration with the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS) in the United Kingdom. The institute has also established a Scientific Committee comprising internationally recognised scholars and is pursuing legislation before the National Assembly to attain chartered status.
Beyond membership growth, SPIN said it has continued to invest in professional training, capacity building and partnerships with leading Nigerian companies to raise standards in sustainability practice across the country.
The institute also announced plans to launch an annual sustainability conference aimed at advancing national conversations on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues while positioning SPIN as the leading professional authority on sustainability practice in Nigeria.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
