Yusufu Ishaku, Managing Director and Chief Executive of WFP Global Investment Limited, has emphasised the importance of strong corporate governance, effective risk management and accountable leadership in building sustainable institutions.
Ishaku, who has over 25 years of professional experience across banking, investment management, financial markets, marine and logistics, oil and gas, agribusiness and real estate development, said organisations must establish strong governance structures that go beyond individual leadership to ensure institutional stability and long-term growth.
His career spans executive management and board-level responsibilities, including service on committees overseeing nominations, governance, finance, audit and risk management.
He has also chaired a Board Nominations, Governance and General-Purpose Committee, with responsibilities covering board appointments, succession planning, director development and corporate governance policies.
According to Ishaku, effective boards must go beyond approving management proposals to independently examine decisions, assess potential risks and ensure accountability in the implementation of organisational policies.
He noted that sound governance does not prevent businesses from taking risks but ensures that decisions are properly evaluated, responsibilities clearly assigned and resources managed responsibly.
Ishaku holds a PhD in Finance from Atlantic International University, an MSc in Finance and MBA from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, as well as a European Master in Executive Leadership from IEAD Business School, Madrid, Spain.
He is also a Fellow and member of the Governing Council of the Institute of Professional Risk and Investment Managers of Nigeria, alongside other professional fellowships in finance, management and leadership.
He maintained that strong governance is increasingly important as businesses contend with market volatility, technological changes, regulatory demands and rising expectations from investors and other stakeholders.
He also identified leadership development and succession planning as critical to institutional sustainability, arguing that organisations should build systems and develop people capable of sustaining their operations beyond the tenure of current executives.