The Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) has announced that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, will headline the association’s 8th Triennial Delegates Conference, focusing on strategies to position Nigeria towards a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
The high-profile conference, themed “Nigeria: Towards a $1 Trillion Economy by 2030,” will take place on October 30, 2025, and is expected to serve as a platform for policymakers, regulators, investors, and industry leaders to deliberate on fiscal reforms, monetary stability, and capital market growth strategies critical to the nation’s long-term economic transformation.
Cardoso and Edun to Discuss Pathways for Economic Growth
The ISAN conference will feature keynotes from Olayemi Cardoso, who is expected to outline the Central Bank’s monetary policy direction amid ongoing reforms, and Wale Edun, who will deliver the main address on fiscal sustainability and investment frameworks driving the government’s $1 trillion GDP ambition.
According to ISAN’s National Coordinator, Moses Igbrude, the event underscores the group’s dedication to promoting financial literacy, corporate governance, and transparency in Nigeria’s economic ecosystem.
“This conference is an opportunity for collaboration between policymakers, regulators, and shareholders to discuss actionable measures that will strengthen the financial markets and attract both local and foreign investment,” Igbrude said in a statement.
He explained that Cardoso and Edun’s participation at the ISAN conference demonstrates the government’s acknowledgment of shareholders’ critical role in building an inclusive and robust economy.
“We are optimistic that the deliberations at this forum will contribute to Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability and the achievement of sustainable growth,” he added.
ISAN Conference to Focus on Capital Market Reforms and Governance
Beyond the keynote sessions, the ISAN conference will host panel discussions exploring the intersection of monetary and fiscal policies, investor protection, and shareholder activism.
Experts will also discuss how improved governance structures can enhance confidence in the Nigerian capital market, a vital enabler for achieving the government’s trillion-dollar GDP target.
Other notable speakers confirmed for the event include Olusegun Omosehin, the Commissioner for Insurance; Dr. Martin Ikpehai, President of the Information Security Society of Africa-Nigeria; and Gabriel Idahosa, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
According to Igbrude, delegates from ISAN’s operational zones, as well as representatives from corporate Nigeria, capital market operators, and government agencies, will participate in the technical sessions.
These will address key issues such as digital transformation in governance, cybersecurity in financial institutions, and sustainable shareholder engagement.
He also disclosed that the conference will feature ISAN’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the election of new national officers.
The AGM will provide a forum for shareholders to assess the association’s performance, review its advocacy impact, and chart new strategies for promoting corporate accountability and investor protection.
Driving Shareholder Advocacy and Economic Accountability
Founded as a non-profit body, the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria is Africa’s foremost shareholder advocacy group, representing over 10,000 members across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, as well as branches in the United Kingdom and the United States.
The association has consistently used its triennial conferences to engage with regulators and corporate leaders on policy issues that affect the investment climate and the business environment.
According to Igbrude, ISAN’s mission aligns closely with the federal government’s broader economic reform goals under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Our vision is to create a business environment where shareholders’ interests are protected, companies are held accountable, and investors have confidence in Nigeria’s markets,” he said.
“For Nigeria to achieve the $1 trillion economy target, strong institutions, transparency, and efficient capital markets are non-negotiable.”
ISAN Conference: A Platform for Policy Collaboration
Analysts have described the upcoming ISAN conference as timely, given Nigeria’s current economic restructuring efforts, including the CBN’s monetary policy tightening, the government’s fiscal discipline agenda, and ongoing capital market reforms by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Financial experts believe that sustained dialogue between the public and private sectors will help drive innovation and unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.
According to economist and capital market analyst Dr. Tunde Ajayi, “The ISAN platform provides an opportunity for collective thinking on how Nigeria can diversify its revenue base, strengthen investor confidence, and implement policies that deliver real economic growth.”
He added that the involvement of Cardoso and Edun at the ISAN conference reflects a commitment to inclusive policymaking — one that prioritizes sustainable growth, macroeconomic stability, and social development.
A Call for Stakeholder Collaboration
The 2025 ISAN conference aims to create actionable recommendations to support Nigeria’s journey toward economic resilience. Delegates are expected to advocate for deeper capital market integration, fair shareholder representation, and enhanced collaboration among financial institutions.
As the countdown to the conference continues, expectations are high that the insights from Cardoso, Edun, and other speakers at the ISAN conference will inspire new strategies for positioning Nigeria as Africa’s investment powerhouse and driving it closer to the $1 trillion GDP vision.
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