Business leaders urged to prioritise health despite work pressures

The National President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIoD Nigeria, Adetunji Oyebanji.

The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria has urged business leaders, directors and senior executives to prioritise their physical health and wellbeing despite the growing pressures of corporate leadership and organisational management.

The institute warned that demanding professional responsibilities, which require sustained attention, sound judgement and the ability to manage complex business challenges, make personal wellness essential to effective leadership.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Abuja Zone of the institute, announcing its 2026 Walk for Life, scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at Millennium Park, Abuja.

The statement read, “The annual walk reflects the Institute’s recognition that effective and sustainable leadership extends beyond professional competence and boardroom responsibilities to include personal health and wellbeing.”

The institute explained that directors and senior executives frequently operate in demanding environments where professional obligations could compete with the need to maintain healthy lifestyles.

It stressed that business leaders must recognise the importance of physical activity and personal wellbeing in sustaining their effectiveness and capacity to make critical organisational decisions.

The statement added, “Directors and senior executives operate in demanding environments that require sound judgement, sustained attention and the capacity to navigate complex organisational challenges.”

The 2026 Walk for Life, themed “Advancing Executive Wellness, Building Connections, and Inspiring Healthier Leadership,” is intended to encourage business leaders and professionals to incorporate regular physical activity into their daily routines.

The event will be led by the National President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIoD Nigeria, Adetunji Oyebanji, and hosted by the Abuja Zonal Chairperson, Rose Eshiett.

The institute identified walking as an accessible form of physical activity that could help participants improve their fitness while creating opportunities for professional interaction outside conventional business environments.

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It also emphasised the relationship between executive wellbeing and workplace culture, explaining that the personal habits of business leaders could influence how organisations approach employee health.

According to the institute, directors and senior executives have a responsibility to demonstrate leadership practices that encourage healthier working environments and sustainable organisational performance.

The statement noted, “As leaders influence workplace values through their decisions and personal example, their commitment to healthy living can encourage organisations to give greater attention to employee wellbeing and the creation of healthier, more sustainable working environments.”

Beyond promoting physical fitness, the institute said the event would provide opportunities for networking, professional collaboration and relationship-building among directors, executives and other participants.

It explained that bringing professionals together in an informal environment could strengthen connections and encourage cooperation across different sectors of the economy.

The Abuja Zone consequently invited directors, senior executives, business professionals and members of the general public to participate in the exercise.

The statement added that the initiative reflected the institute’s commitment to promoting leadership that combines professional competence with personal health.

CIoD Nigeria is a professional organisation focused on strengthening corporate governance, ethical leadership and best practices in directorship.

Through its programmes, the institute aims to equip directors and business leaders with the knowledge and professional standards needed to guide organisations toward sustainable performance.