Funmi Ekundayo Becomes President of Global Corporate Governance Body

Funmi Ekundayo, a seasoned governance expert and corporate executive, has been appointed President of the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA), the worldwide organization representing governance professionals and corporate secretaries across more than four continents.

The announcement, made over the weekend on the association’s official website, marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s governance sector and underscores Ekundayo’s reputation as a leading voice in corporate governance, law, and financial services.

Ekundayo currently serves as Group Managing Director of STL Capital Group, where she has spearheaded strategic initiatives that have strengthened the company’s position in Nigeria’s trust and fiduciary services industry.

She holds degrees in Law from the University of Lagos and is an alumna of Harvard Business School. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), having recently completed her tenure as ICSAN President and Chairman of its Governing Council (2023–2025), the first woman to hold the position in the institute’s 57-year history. Her leadership was characterized by institutional reforms, professional development, and increased visibility for the governance profession.

With nearly three decades of professional experience, Ekundayo began her career in legal practice at Bentley, Edu & Co, before transitioning into financial services and capital markets. She has held senior roles at Sterling Asset Management & Trustees and United Capital Trustees, eventually joining STL Trustees, where she rose to Managing Director/CEO and then Group Managing Director of STL Capital Group.

Ekundayo has also held leadership positions in professional associations, including President of the Association of Corporate Trustees of Nigeria, and previously served as Honorary Treasurer and Vice President of CSIA. She is a Fellow or member of multiple professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Directors, Institute of Capital Market Registrars, and the Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals.

In a statement, STL Capital Group congratulated Ekundayo on her appointment, describing it as “a remarkable achievement.”

Ekundayo said she is eager to collaborate with member institutes worldwide to enhance corporate governance standards, expand professional development programs, and reinforce CSIA’s role as a global authority in governance.