By Olusesan Laoye
The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Oyo State Branch, Dr Esanju Samuel Olaloye, has called on professionals across the country to unite in promoting integrity, excellence and ethical values to build a virile and corruption-free Nigeria.
Olaloye, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (FCNA) and Fellow of the College of Education (FCE), made the call while delivering his inaugural address at the 2026 Professional Summit and Career Symposium organised by the APBN in Ibadan.
The summit, held at the NIS Plaza, Ikolaba, was themed “The Role of Professionals in National Development” and brought together professionals from various disciplines to examine the contributions of professional bodies to Nigeria’s development.
The event featured keynote presentations, technical panel sessions, career talks, networking opportunities and award presentations.
In his address, Olaloye said no nation could attain sustainable development without the active contributions of professionals whose expertise, competence, integrity and innovative thinking are essential to addressing societal challenges.
He noted that professionals have a collective responsibility to promote excellence, uphold ethical standards, influence sound public policy and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic and social transformation.
“We are united by a common responsibility to promote excellence, uphold ethical standards, influence sound public policy and contribute meaningfully to the economic and social transformation of Nigeria,” he said.
Delivering the keynote lecture, the incoming Vice-Chancellor of Dominion University, Prof. Abel Olajide Olorunnisola, stressed that professionals have a crucial role to play in national development but identified corruption as one of the greatest obstacles to achieving the country’s developmental aspirations.
According to him, Nigeria cannot realise its full potential unless professionals take deliberate steps to eliminate corruption within their respective fields.
He advocated stronger disciplinary measures against erring professionals, including closer collaboration between professional regulatory bodies and anti-graft agencies.
“Eliminating corruption requires moving away from slow public service methods of investigation toward swift and legally binding professional sanctions,” he said.
Olorunnisola proposed the establishment of a shared database involving professional regulatory councils, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to facilitate the immediate blacklisting of professionals found guilty of unethical conduct.
He also recommended the automatic revocation of practising licences for professionals convicted of fraudulent practices.
“The professional bodies must ensure speedy internal disciplinary processes and avoid prolonged tribunal proceedings, which have not helped the enforcement of ethical standards,” he said.
The professor further urged professional bodies to establish secure whistleblower platforms to protect junior professionals who expose unethical practices by their superiors.
Among dignitaries at the event were the immediate past Chairman of APBN, Oyo State Branch, Prof. John Oluwole Akintayo; Esv. Adebayo Oluseyi; Bldr. F. O. Olugbade; Olona Yisa Aderoba; Oyesina Oyebamiji; Alhaji Kunle Ogunsola; Ezekiel Farayola; Arch. Olutayo Olajide; Pastor Julius Olaniyonu; Kola Kareem; Deacon Titus Alao Sowetan; and Akinyemi Olaniyi.