Norrenberger Financial Group on Tuesday launched the 2026 Nigerian Corporate Sustainability Report, described as an “industry first” aimed at setting a benchmark for environmental, social, and governance standards in Nigeria’s corporate sector.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja Board Chairman Alh. Ibrahim Aliyu Bala said the report reflects the Group’s belief that businesses must create value beyond shareholders to society at large.
“At Norrenberger, we believe that businesses must continue to evolve in how they create value, not just for shareholders, but for society at large. Conversations around sustainability, corporate responsibility and long-term impact are becoming increasingly important, and rightly so,” Bala said.
He welcomed dignitaries including Senator John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Pension Commission, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Exchange Group.
Bala said the event was Norrenberger’s “modest contribution” to the sustainability dialogue and a push for progress through “shared ideas and collective commitments.” He added that the Group remains committed to strong governance, responsible leadership, and long-term value creation.
Group Managing Director/CEO of Norrenberger, Tony Edeh said the report comes as global business shifts from assessing firms on financial performance alone to also weighing environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance standards.
“In Nigeria, while awareness of these principles is growing, there is still significant room to strengthen both sustainability practices, corporate responsibility and the quality of disclosures,” Edeh said. “It is against this backdrop that the report was developed, as a practical tool to evaluate performance, provide insights and begin to establish a credible benchmark for sustainability in our society.”
Edeh cited regulatory momentum from the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria’s roadmap toward IFRS S1 and S2 adoption, but stressed the business case for ESG.
“Evidence consistently shows that organisations with strong ESG practices achieve better long-term outcomes, driven by improved risk management, operational efficiency and stronger stakeholder trust. Sustainability, therefore, is not just a responsibility, but a strategic, financial and reputational imperative,” he said.
He said the Nigerian Corporate Sustainability Report is designed “not just to inform but to challenge organisations to move from intention to measurable performance and from disclosures to genuine integration.”
Edeh noted the role of financial institutions in shaping economic outcomes through capital allocation. “This report reflects our commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable value creation, not just within our Group, but across the broader corporate ecosystem.”
He called the launch “only the beginning of a longer journey toward building a more resilient and sustainable Nigerian economy” and invited corporates, regulators, government, and investors to engage with the report.
“We can together raise the bar of sustainability standards and responsible business practice in Nigeria, and be a reference for the African continent,” Edeh said.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh during his speech stressed that One of the major challenges confronting emerging markets, including Nigeria, is the persistent data gap around sustainability and performance on environmental, social and governance (ESG). Reliable, transparent, and standardized sustainability data remains essential for informed policymaking, investment decisions, risk assessment, and long-term economic planning. In this regard, the Nigerian Corporate Sustainability Report represents a significant contribution towards bridging this gap by providing credible insights into the ESG practices of Nigerian companies.
Mrs. Muyiwa Ajayi-Ade, Director of the Industrial Development Department who represented the minister emphasized that the report’s structured assessment framework, built on publicly disclosed corporate information, provides an important benchmark for evaluating sustainability performance across industries.
“More importantly, it promotes transparency, accountability, responsible governance, environmental stewardship, and social impact within the private sector. I also commend Norrenberger for going beyond research to developing financial products and innovative investment solutions aimed at improving financial inclusion and mobilizing capital towards productive sectors of the economy. As we work towards building a more inclusive and resilient economy, such initiatives are essential in expanding access to finance, deepening participation in the financial system, and creating pathways for sustainable wealth creation for Nigerians.”
The event drew captains of industry, board members, Norrenberger staff, and members of the press.
