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The Managing Director/CEO of the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Dr. Chizor Malize, has reaffirmed that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles have evolved from being peripheral concerns into strategic imperatives for economic competitiveness, institutional resilience, and national transformation.
She made this assertion during her opening address at the inaugural FITC Sustainability and ESG Conference 2025, held in Lagos. Themed “Building a Prosperous Future: Unlocking Growth Opportunities Through Sustainability and ESG Innovation,” the conference convened senior leaders, legal experts, investors, and policymakers to shape the future of ESG-driven growth in Nigeria and beyond.
“Today, we are not merely convening an event—we are activating a movement,” Dr. Malize declared. “A movement rooted in the conviction that sustainability and ESG are no longer peripheral disciplines, but central levers for driving prosperity, resilience, and long-term value.”
She noted that global data consistently shows that firms with strong ESG frameworks enjoy up to 20% lower cost of capital, reflecting growing investor confidence in sustainability-aligned business models.
ESG: Balancing Profit with Purpose
According to Malize, institutions that embed ESG in their operations are not only enhancing their reputations but are also balancing profit with purpose, growth with equity, and innovation with integrity. She described ESG integration as a global best practice and the new standard for forward-thinking organisations committed to sustainable growth.
ESG as a Strategic Necessity
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), a corporate governance expert and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, emphasised that ESG is no longer optional but a strategic necessity. He explained that ESG offers a multidimensional lens for evaluating a company’s environmental impact, stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, and long-term viability.
“ESG is more than a set of metrics—it is a guiding framework for decision-making in today’s business environment,” Ajogwu said.
He added that companies that proactively adopt ESG practices are better positioned to access green financing, boost their credit ratings, and gain stronger footing in global capital markets.
Navigating Complex Risks with Bold Innovation
In her goodwill message, Ms. Etemore Glover, CEO of the Impact Investors Foundation, said the private sector is navigating unprecedented challenges including climate change, demographic shifts, digital disruption, and social inequality. She noted that these challenges cannot be solved by incremental change, but require bold, purpose-driven innovation that places sustainability at the centre of economic strategy.
“The future belongs to institutions that can marry profit with purpose,” Glover stated, urging Nigerian firms to align their models with global ESG benchmarks.
A Call for ESG-Driven Transformation
The FITC ESG conference is part of the Centre’s broader initiative to foster a values-based financial system, catalyse innovation, and support Nigeria’s transition to a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy.
Dr. Malize closed her remarks by challenging stakeholders to drive transformative change:
“The question is no longer whether we should integrate ESG, but how quickly and effectively we can embed it in our institutions to secure a prosperous future.”
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