A Landmark Honour for a Visionary Business Leader

The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria recently conferred one of its highest honours on Mr. Obum Igboanugo, Chief Executive Officer of The Bloc Group Limited, inducting him as a Life Member during its 2025 annual ceremony.  Victoria Ojiako reports that this recognition celebrates his exceptional leadership, ethical pedigree, and transformative impact across real estate, clean energy, global trade, and environmental stewardship, qualities that strongly align with the CIoD’s mission to elevate corporate governance and professional excellence in Nigeria

The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD), the nation’s premier professional body for directors, successfully hosted its annual induction ceremony last Thursday, 4th December, 2025.

The prestigious event welcomed a new cohort of distinguished executives into its fold, reinforcing its mandate to elevate corporate governance and leadership standards across the Nigerian economy and throughout the African business landscape.

The Institute, celebrated internationally for its significant and highly impressive strides in partnering strategically with the government, leading corporate bodies, bilateral chambers, and diplomatic missions, continues to attract an ever-growing pool of exemplary and highly qualitative members to its ranks, ensuring a dynamic source of ethical leadership for the nation.

A highlight of the evening was the announcement and celebration of one of Nigeria’s most astute and transformative business figure Mr. Obum Igboanugo, the Chief Executive Officer of The Bloc Group Limited.

Igboanugo, a leader whose illustrious career perfectly embodies strategic insight, operational excellence, and deep ethical commitment, was formally inducted as a highly coveted Life Member of the esteemed CIoD on December 4, 2025.

This rare recognition is reserved for individuals who have demonstrably made outstanding and sustained contributions to the national and continental corporate landscape, a group which Mr. Igboanugo is undoubtedly counted amongst.

This exceptional honour, according to widespread consensus and internal recognition within the industry, reflects Igboanugo’s distinguished leadership and his unwavering, career-long commitment to professional excellence and integrity in business practice.

The institutional praise underscores the impact of his character. Igboanugo’s strategic insight, integrity, and passion for excellence inspire every member of his team and set a formidable benchmark for the industry.

This distinguished recognition reaffirms confidence in the transformative direction he champions, celebrating his remarkable contributions to advancing ethical and visionary corporate governance.

Igboanugo’s life membership is a direct, palpable reflection of his profound business acumen, formidable leadership prowess, and deep understanding of the complexities inherent in the global business environment.

Under his innovative guidance, The Bloc Group Limited has not only expanded its foundational base but has strategically diversified its portfolio, successfully establishing major, high-impact interests across several critical sectors: real estate, Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), International Trade, and Environmental Protection. This conglomerate structure minimises sectoral risk while maximising beneficial economic impact across diverse areas of the Nigerian economy.

Given Nigeria’s pre-eminent status as Africa’s largest economy and the intense growth of its booming real estate market, a sector substantially driven by rapid urbanization, The Bloc Group is actively and strategically poised to address the critical housing deficit and fundamental infrastructure needs.

The company specialises in creating world-class real estate solutions that are not just aesthetically pleasing but are meticulously tailored to unique Nigerian requirements, encompassing comprehensive residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Their commitment extends far beyond conventional construction; they aim to deliver smart, eco-friendly housing for vibrant, sustainable communities, utilising cutting-edge innovation and strategic partnerships to bridge the gap between modern infrastructure demands and sustainable urban living.

Through its key subsidiary, The Bloc Global Energy and Petroleum Limited, The Bloc Group is established as a leading force actively contributing to the nation’s energy transition goals. This Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) retail company is deeply dedicated to making clean energy accessible and affordable for both domestic and commercial consumers, specialising in the ethical distribution and retailing of LPG.

In a direct and substantial move supporting the Federal Government’s comprehensive plan to significantly expand LPG use, the company has established ultra-modern inland LPG Plants in various strategic locations, thereby ensuring a robust and adequate supply across regions and providing an efficient, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional, less sustainable fuels.

The Group also maintains a strong and reliable foothold in global trade, leveraging a dependable network of suppliers and buyers for the import, export, and distribution of high-quality products across diverse industries. Their focus areas, which include essential supplies like agricultural commodities, robust building materials, and cutting-edge technology products, decisively position them as a vital link empowering businesses through reliable, ethical, and innovative trading solutions that comply with international best practices.

Crucially, The Bloc Group has pledged a profound, long-term commitment to environmental stewardship, actively spearheading environmental initiatives and conservation projects within Nigeria, including exploring potential collaborations with the government for critical forest conservation. This dedication ensures that The Bloc Group’s pursuit of profitability is intrinsically balanced with ecological and social responsibility.

The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD) as a body is committed to its cardinal objective of sharpening the professional skills of Directors, business leaders, technocrats, top-level civil and public servants through its internationally recognised Director Development Programmes.

The Institute’s advocacy over the years, has intensified the promotion of corporate governance and best practices in all tiers of government and the private sector with emphasis in the development of the nation’s top talents and fostering resourceful and ethical leadership in all the sectors of the economy.

The body is saddled with the vision of leading a world-class professional institute by consistently promoting best corporate governance practices, director development and advocacy.

The Institute, as a prime leadership organisation is also charged with responsibility of helping directors fulfil their legal and professional responsibilities for the benefit of business and society. The mission of this body is however, to build a capacity of directors by competent and committed professionals through well-developed programmes, mentoring schemes, sound ethical practices and enrich public policy through advocacy.

The success of the association is measured by its capacity to impact the quality of the overall governance index through its member-directors, many of whom are the most proficient and experienced business leaders in the country representing the full business and public service spectrum. Members of the body inculcate Integrity, Meritocracy, Professionalism, Accountability and Probity, Customer Centricity and Teamwork (IMPACT) as their core values.

Igboanugo’s Life Membership perfectly and powerfully encapsulates the modern director’s role: one who drives profitability and leads economic expansion while meticulously maintaining the highest standards of governance and social responsibility, thereby serving as an outstanding embodiment of the IMPACT values championed by the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria.