Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, FCIS.
President / Chairman of Council, ICSAN
Funmi Ekundayo is a Lawyer, Chartered Secretary and Administrator, Corporate Governance professional, Chartered Stockbroker and Capital Market practitioner. Born in Lagos State and raised in Kwara State, her home State, Funmi commenced her early education at Trinity Nursery & Primary School GRA Ilorin, where she obtained her first school leaving certificate and thereafter proceeded to Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Ilorin where she obtained her West Africa Senior School Certificate. She attended the Kwara State Polytechnic where she obtained her A’ Level certificate and graduated with flying colours. She then proceeded to the University of Lagos where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree in 1995 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1996. During her National Youth Service Programme in 1997, Funmi smartly combined work with studies as she returned to the University of Lagos to pursue her Masters degree in Law which she obtained in 1998.
Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS. Vice President
Uto Ukpanah has utilized her broad-based corporate experience in providing guidance and direction on governance within the MTN Nigeria Group of entities. MTN Nigeria Communications Plc is the leading Tech company in Nigeria with a revenue base of over N2 trillion. In her role as Company Secretary, she has responsibility for governance and ESG for MTN Nigeria, MTN Nigeria Foundation, and other entities within the MTN Nigeria Group which include its Fintech, fibre, and data center platform businesses. MTN Nigeria is a subsidiary of MTN Group with footprints in Africa and the Middle East. She is a legal practitioner, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), and a Certified Ethics Officer at, Ethics Institute/University of Stellenbosch.
Uto has been involved in the development and implementation of corporate governance codes across various sectors in Nigeria. She has utilized those opportunities to strategically position and give visibility to the role of governance practitioners.
Prior to joining the Tech sector, she had a fulfilling career in financial services and legal practice. An alumnus of the Lagos Business School, she is a recipient of several awards and was honoured as the 2021 Company Secretary of the Year at the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards.
She is a Member of the Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) where she chairs the Building Committee and serves on the Nomination and Governance Committee of the Institute. She is a member of other professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the Ethics Compliance Officers Association, USA.
Uto treasures her role as a Wife and Mother.
Mr. Francis Olawale, FCIS. Honourary Treasurer
Mr. Francis Olawale, FCIS,
Francis Olawale is Governance, Compliance and Business development practitioner. He is a trained Accountant. . He is an authorized dealing clerk of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.He has a strong passion for quality Leadership, Governance, Administration, Strategy, Risk Management, Business process improvement, and Business management. He worked in audit firms, the banking industry, the transport and haulage industry, and the real estate industry before venturing into private practice.
He is a member of the Society for Corporate Governance of Nigeria. He is an ILO (International Labour Organization) Business Trainer. He is an ISO 9001:2015 certified lead Auditor & Consultant. He is also an IFC (International Finance Corporation) certified Corporate Governance practitioner; Corporate Governance and Board Evaluator.
He currently serves on the Board of Knights Recovery Limited, Cristen & Carsten Limited, F&G Realties Ltd. DCMS Limited, etc. He is currently a council member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria and currently serves as the Honorary Treasurer of the Institute. He also serves on the Audit Committee of the Institute of Directors and the Audit Committee of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers. He is the Chairman of the E-learning Committee of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria
Mr. Taiwo Gbenga Owokalade, FCIS. Immediate Past President
Mr. Taiwo Gbenga Owokalade, FCIS,
Mr. Taiwo Olugbenga Adewale Owokalade is a Chartered Secretary, Corporate Governance Practitioner, International Finance Corporation (IFC) certified trainer, Insurance Practitioner, Human Resources Specialist, and Community Development Advocate.
He is the President of the Institute Of Chartered Secretaries and Administration of Nigeria (ICSAN).
Taiwo had his education at St. Jude’s Primary School Ebute –Meta Lagos, Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu, Ogun State, Ogun State College of Education Ijebu-Ode, now called Tai Solarin College of Education, where he had his Higher School Certificate. He later proceeded to Ogun State University Ago Iwoye for his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (1986-1989).