Institute unveils committee to boost professional services in Africa
The Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria has unveiled a Scientific Induction Committee on Thursday in its bid to pave way for professionalism and standardisation in Africa.
This was done during a virtual event on Thursday, themed “Mainstreaming Sustainability in Africa: Professionalism, Standardisation, and Capabilities.”
The event brought together scholars, industry leaders, and sustainability professionals to chart a path for Africa-centric sustainability solutions.
It was moderated by SPIN’s Legal Director, Dr. Mories Atoki and headlined by First Bank of Nigeria PLC.
“Africa must redefine sustainability on its own terms, balancing environmental, social, and economic imperatives unique to our realities,” Atoki said.
The Vice President, SPIN, Ini Abimbola, while administering the SPIN induction oath, charged the newly inducted scientific committee members to advance professionalism, drive standardisation, and strengthen capacity building in sustainability, ultimately shaping the future of sustainability in Africa.
The newly inducted scientific committee comprises seven distinguished scholars and practitioners.
Professor of Accounting and Corporate Governance at Nottingham University Business School, Emmanuel Adegbite,
emphasised the critical role of corporate governance in driving sustainable business practices.
Professor of Sustainable Business and Development at the University of the West Indies, Judy Muthuri, stressed the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge and community-led approaches into sustainability strategies.
The committee members highlighted the complexities of sustainability in Africa. Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, Professor of Global Climate Governance and Public Policy at the University of Bristol, advocated for justice-centered policies that address historical inequities. Professor Uwafiokun Idemudia, Dean of the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences at the University of Guelph, called for multi-stakeholder collaboration to mitigate environmental degradation. Dr. Adaeze Okoye, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at the University of Brighton, underscored the need for regulatory frameworks that promote equity and inclusion.
The committee emphasised innovative approaches to sustainability, featuring expert insights from renowned thought leaders. Dr. Natalie Beinisch, Co-founder of the Circular Economy Innovation Partnership, shared insights on leveraging circular economy principles. Professor Tazeeb Rajwani, Chaired Professor of International Business and Strategy at Surrey Business School, analyzed geopolitical shifts impacting sustainability practices and emphasized the need for African businesses to develop resilient, context-specific strategies.
Building on these insights, SPIN’s Director of Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement, Ismail Omamegbe, outlined the committee’s roadmap.
“We look forward to our new scientific committee members’ insights in shaping our research agenda, policy formulation, and capacity-building initiatives,” he stated.
In her closing remarks, SPIN’s Director of Learning and Development, Mrs. Eunice Sampson, reaffirmed the committee’s vision.
“Through this distinguished committee, we will transform sustainability in Africa by localizing solutions and decolonising approaches. Our focus remains on driving inclusive, data-driven growth through strong political commitments and cross-sector collaboration,” she said.
