The Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria has inaugurated her new President, Dr. Ije Jidenma, F.IoD, as the 17th President and Chairman of the Governing Council. The investiture ceremony, which was a Hybrid event, took place on Sunday, October 4, 2021 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Dr. Jidenma, who was earlier elected in June 2021 for a two-year tenure in line with the institute’s rules and regulations, succeeded Chief Chris Okunowo, F.IoD, who retired after his tenure expired during the Annual General Meeting of the Institute. Other officers elected during meeting include Tijjani Borodo,F.IoD as the first Vice President and Adetunji Oyebanji, F.IoD as second Vice President.

The investiture ceremony is held once every two years to officially inaugurate the new President of the Institute. Apart from the swearing-in of the President, the Institute also uses the opportunity to discuss issues of topical national importance in the area of governance, ethics and leadership. 

This event, which attracted the cream of the Nigerian private and public sectors, had Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group deliver a lecture tagged, “Nigeria in Challenging Times: Rethinking the Role of Governance in Leadership.” The event also witnessed the conferment of the highest honour of ‘Distinguished Fellowship’ of the Institute on the Immediate Past President, Chief Chris Olufumilola Okunowo, F.IoD in appreciation of his invaluable contribution to the Institute.

The Chairman of the occasion was Alhaji Muhammad K. Ahmad, OON, M.IoD, Chairman, Polaris Bank Limited, while the  Distinguished Special Guest of Honour was Dr. Stella Okoli, OON, DF.IoD, Chairman, Emzor Pharmaceuticals Group. The event also played host to Prof. Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School, and Mr. Frank Nweke, Jr., former Minister of Information, and a host of other dignitaries.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Ije Jidenma, F.IoD noted that her administration would focus on some ‘5 Pillars’ deemed to underline the philosophy of her tenure, captioned, 'Future Readiness,’ which include the following: Inclusiveness; Growth  and Development of the Institute; Chartership of the Institute; IoD House Project; and Digital Transformation.

Prior to her election as 17th President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ije Jidenma, F.IoD had served as the first Vice President of the institute. She is an accomplished management consultant and professional. She holds a PhD in Psychology with specialisation in Psychometrics from the University of Lagos.

She is the Founder and Chief Executive of Leading Edge Consulting and has consulted for SMEs, indigenous companies, the public sector, multilateral organisations and international non-governmental organisations. She is also the Managing Partner of IRC Global Executive Search Partners, ranked as the fastest growing executive search alliance in the world, where she currently leads its EMEA Energy, natural resources and infrastructure practice.

Earlier on in her career, she had worked in operational capacities as a Training and Development Officer with the Industrial Training Fund from 1983-1986 and as a Senior Consultant with Price Waterhouse (now PwC) from 1986-1990. She later worked in executive capacities as Head of Human Resources as well as Head of Strategic Planning of Merchant Bank of Africa before leaving the Bank in 1995 in pursuit of her doctorate degree.