Funmi Ekundayo becomes CSIA President, marking a major milestone for global governance professionals and Nigeria’s corporate sector

Governance expert and corporate executive Funmi Ekundayo has emerged as the new President of the Corporate Secretaries International Association, the global body representing governance professionals and corporate secretaries across more than four continents.

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The appointment, announced over the weekend on the Association’s official website, marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s corporate governance community and reinforces her prominence in the field.

Ekundayo, who currently serves as Group Managing Director of STL Capital Group, has overseen strategic transformation initiatives that strengthened the organisation’s position in Nigeria’s trust and fiduciary services sector.

Her profile on the CSIA website highlights her academic background as an alumna of Harvard Business School and a holder of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Law from the University of Lagos.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Ekundayo recently concluded her tenure as President and Chairman of its Governing Council, becoming the first woman to lead the institute in its 57-year history.

Her leadership period was widely regarded for institutional reforms, professional capacity building and elevating the visibility of corporate governance practice in Nigeria.

With nearly three decades of professional experience, she began her career at Bentley, Edu & Co, in association with Irving & Bonnar, spending close to ten years in legal practice before transitioning to the financial services and capital markets sector.

She subsequently held senior roles at Sterling Asset Management & Trustees and United Capital Trustees before joining STL Trustees, where she rose to Managing Director and later Group Managing Director of STL Capital Group.

Ekundayo is a past President of the Association of Corporate Trustees of Nigeria and formerly served as Honorary Treasurer and Vice President of CSIA before assuming its presidency.

She is also affiliated with several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the Institute of Capital Market Registrars, the Chartered Institute of Directors and the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

In a statement on Monday, STL Capital Group described her election as a remarkable achievement and praised her dedication to advancing governance standards.

The company said it was proud of the global recognition accorded to its Chief Executive.

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Ekundayo said she looks forward to collaborating with member institutes worldwide to strengthen governance frameworks, expand professional development programmes and further position the Association as a leading international voice for governance practitioners.