The immediate past Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Awwal Gambo (rtd), has called for the integration of emerging technologies into contemporary management practices to drive organizational excellence.
He made this statement on Wednesday in Lagos during the investiture ceremony of Commodore Abimbola Ayuba as the 25th President of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), NIM.
Vice-Admiral Gambo highlighted the role of technological innovation in shaping human civilization — from the industrial revolution to the ongoing digital transformation of the 21st century. According to him, each wave of innovation demands an evolution in how organizations are managed.
He emphasized that the responsibility to craft forward-thinking strategies for navigating these technological shifts rests heavily on institutions like NIM.
“Challenges such as resistance to change, fears of job displacement, and cybersecurity risks must be critically addressed,” Gambo noted. “These issues carry weighty management implications and call for deliberate, strategic solutions that can also influence national defense policy. Management professionals must adopt an adaptive, forward-thinking mindset.”
Also speaking at the event, the outgoing President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, gave an overview of her two-year tenure as the 24th President and Chairman of the Council.
Reflecting on her leadership, Atako revealed that her administration adopted a three-pronged strategy and an eight-point agenda to tackle key institutional challenges. “One of our first priorities was to restructure and re-engineer the Institute in response to internal crises that threatened its existence,” she said.
She noted that deliberate efforts were made to train staff for enhanced productivity and service delivery, leading to remarkable growth in both influence and membership. “In addition, we championed ethical management practices and advocated for higher standards within Nigeria’s business environment,” she said. “Our vision was rooted in inclusivity and innovation, and we worked tirelessly to ensure NIM remained a vital part of national conversations.”
Dr. Atako expressed confidence in the institute’s continued progress, urging the new leadership to consolidate on the gains of the past two years.
In his acceptance speech, the new president, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba, expressed deep gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility as he assumed office. He praised past NIM presidents for their enduring contributions, describing them as “the shining light that has kept NIM illuminated.”
Ayuba reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the institute’s long-standing values and principles, which have guided it since its establishment in 1961. He underscored the importance of unity and collective purpose, emphasizing the need to rise above ethnic and religious differences.
“The Nigerian Institute of Management is a reflection of our nation’s diversity,” he said. “We must come together to pursue three main goals: to promote excellence in management practice, foster a culture of professionalism, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
He added that embracing diversity would strengthen the institute’s impact.
“Our collective efforts can achieve more than individual pursuits,” Ayuba stated. “We must work toward a synergistic balance that positions NIM as a leading brand and catalyst for change in Nigeria and beyond.”