ICAD Conference: Experts Harp on Strategic Competencies, Capacity Building for Nigeria’s Economic Growth
By Genesis Ogiri
ABUJA - Experts in corporate administration and professional development have called for increased investment in capacity building, strategic competencies and value creation as critical pathways to strengthening Nigeria’s economic productivity and resilience amid prevailing economic challenges.
The call was made at the 2026 Administrative Professionals Conference of the Institute of Corporate Administration (ICAD), held at Green Minds Hotel, Abuja, where participants examined the competencies required to improve institutional performance and sustain professional relevance in a difficult economic environment.
The conference, themed “Developing Strategic Competencies for Excelling in a Depressed Economy,” brought together administrative professionals, corporate executives and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for enhancing productivity, promoting innovation and strengthening organisational effectiveness.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director of ICAD, G.C. Onyekwere, emphasised the centrality of human capital development to national economic transformation, noting that the quality of a country’s workforce remains a significant determinant of its productivity and long-term development prospects.
Onyekwere observed that Nigeria’s abundant natural resources had not translated into corresponding improvements in the living standards of many citizens. He stressed the need to prioritise human capital development, improve resource utilisation and promote value creation to convert the country’s resource endowment into tangible economic benefits.
The ICAD director also drew attention to the challenge of out-of-school children, citing Niger State as an area of concern. He warned that inadequate access to education could undermine workforce development and constrain future productivity, underscoring the importance of strengthening educational opportunities and equipping citizens with relevant skills.
He further urged professionals to make continuous learning and personal development integral to their careers, arguing that the acquisition of relevant competencies would enable them to respond more effectively to emerging workplace demands and contribute to institutional growth.
In his paper presentation, Dr Julius Anjorin highlighted the role of strategic competencies and value creation in repositioning the Nigerian economy. He advocated greater emphasis on innovation, productivity and the efficient deployment of human and material resources, noting their importance in building a more functional and competitive economy.
Other speakers stressed the need to equip individuals and institutions with the capacity to identify opportunities, generate value and adapt to changing economic conditions. They urged administrative professionals to move beyond routine responsibilities and play more strategic roles in organisational planning, decision-making, accountability and operational efficiency.
The conference ended with a call for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, educational institutions and professional bodies to advance skills development and institutional capacity. Participants maintained that sustained investment in professional competencies, innovation and value creation would be essential to improving productivity and supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.
