Ex-BOI boss urges firms to anchor growth on integrity

Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Olukayode Pitan, has urged business leaders and entrepreneurs to prioritise integrity, transparency and strong governance in building sustainable businesses and institutions.

Pitan spoke at the second edition of the Leadership & Legacy Series hosted by Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, where he shared insights from his career in banking, entrepreneurship, public service and executive leadership.

He described integrity as one of the most valuable assets a leader could possess, noting that reputation and credibility, once lost, were difficult to regain, according to a statement from the bank on Wednesday.

Pitan said sustainable success was built not only on competence and achievement but also on character, consistency and the courage to make principled decisions.

Drawing on his experience across the private and public sectors, he highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability and strong governance in creating long-term value and institutional impact.

“Integrity is a currency,” Pitan said, while underscoring the importance of resilience in navigating adversity. He encouraged leaders to remain steadfast in upholding ethical standards regardless of circumstances.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s evolving business landscape, he encouraged entrepreneurs and professionals to build careers and institutions anchored on trust, credibility and values.

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He noted that enduring legacies were shaped as much by how success was achieved as by the success itself.

Speaking at the event, the acting Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Ayodeji Adelagun, said the Leadership & Legacy Series reflected the bank’s commitment to creating platforms that connect clients and stakeholders with accomplished leaders.

He said such engagements provided practical insights into personal and professional development, adding that conversations around leadership increasingly extended beyond commercial success to stewardship, succession planning, wealth preservation and long-term societal impact.

Adelagun said the issues were particularly relevant to business owners, executives and affluent families seeking to transfer wealth responsibly across generations.

“Integrity in leadership and a commitment to building a legacy reflect a fundamental shift in how success is defined today. Increasingly, the focus is not only on building wealth, but on preserving it, passing it on responsibly and creating meaningful impact for future generations.

“At Standard Chartered, we are privileged to support our clients on this journey, helping them navigate every stage of success with confidence and purpose,” Adelagun said.

The session also featured discussions on leadership, entrepreneurship, governance and succession, as well as Standard Chartered’s wealth management capabilities and advisory services for clients seeking to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations.