Gbenga Ilemobayo
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, in partnership with the Center for International Private Enterprise, has reinforced its commitment to promoting ethical business conduct and strengthening corporate governance frameworks across Nigeria.
Through the ‘Ethics 1st’ initiative, NECA hosted a high-level breakfast meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos, bringing together key private sector stakeholders to discuss the importance of ethics, compliance, and integrity in business operations.
Participants were also equipped with practical insights on how to defend their organisations against fraud, bribery, conflicts of interest, and other unethical practices.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General, NECA, Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, explained that ‘Ethics 1st’ was aimed at equipping NECA members with the right mindset, culture, and institutional capacity required to navigate complex business environments.
Smatt-Oyerinde noted that for Nigerian businesses to remain relevant and resilient in an evolving global economy, they must embrace transparency, accountability, and strong governance structures as core operational principles.
He said, “At NECA, we recognise that ethical business practices are no longer optional but essential for long-term sustainability and competitiveness.
“As Nigerian businesses position themselves for growth and global relevance, embracing transparency, accountability, and strong governance standards will be critical.
“Through ‘Ethics 1st’, we are strengthening the credibility of our members and ensuring they are better prepared to attract investment, access global value chains, and operate with integrity.”
Also speaking, the Program Officer, CIPE Africa, Imaobong Akpan-Ita, said the ‘Ethics 1st’ was designed to place African businesses on a pedestal, signaling their capacity to deliver quality, transparency, and risk-free business engagements.
Akpan-Ita noted that ethical compliance was a key tenet of democracy, stressing that businesses must adopt the right culture and long-term mindset to thrive sustainably.
She added that the initiative was not just a policy framework, but a comprehensive approach that enables organisations to detect, prevent, and respond effectively to risks.
She stated, “We are mandated to work with the private sector to advance democracy, and at the core of that mandate is the recognition that businesses play a critical role in shaping economic and governance systems.
“Ethical compliance is therefore not just a regulatory requirement but a fundamental pillar of sustainable business.
“Through ‘Ethics 1st’, we are not only reducing the burden of due diligence for companies, but also positioning credible African businesses as trusted, low-risk partners for global opportunities, businesses that can deliver quality, transparency, and integrity.”
Ethics 1st is a multi-stakeholder initiative designed to boost African business growth by fostering an ecosystem of corporate integrity, governance, and anti-corruption compliance.
The initiative supports companies in de-risking investments and accessing global value chains by providing a benchmarking platform, verified listings, and practical resources to strengthen compliance systems.
