For more than 18 years, the Institute of Supervision and Leadership has trained Nigerian professionals for greater responsibility — at every stage of the career journey. This is our story, our purpose, and the conviction that drives everything we do.
Every day in Nigeria, professionals are appointed to positions of greater responsibility — as supervisors, managers, directors, executives, and public officials — without the formal preparation those positions demand.
They are excellent at what they did in their previous roles. That is why they were promoted. But managing people is not the same as doing the work. Leading teams is not the same as being part of one. Carrying institutional responsibility is not the same as delivering individual results.
The gap between the authority a title confers and the preparation required to carry it well — that gap is what ISL was established to close. Through structured programmes, professional membership, events, seminars and workshops, ISL equips professionals across all sectors of Nigeria with the supervision and leadership capabilities their roles require.
ISL is registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) No.1, Cap 59 of 1990 as a professional body — registration number RC 696852 — with the mandate to carry out, among other things, the training of men and women on effective supervision and leadership.
Responsibility Is Not a Title.
Preparation Is What Makes the Difference.
ISL carries out training programmes — seminars, workshops, conferences and structured courses — designed to develop the supervision and leadership skills of professionals at every career stage.
ISL membership is deliberately open to professionals from every field and discipline — because effective supervision and leadership is relevant wherever people, performance and responsibility converge.
ISL provides useful information to individuals, organisations and the country as a whole on supervision and leadership matters — contributing to the development of stronger, better-led Nigerian institutions.
Through its membership structure, examinations, and induction process, ISL upholds professional standards in supervision and leadership — creating a community of qualified, accountable practitioners.
Through its Reciprocal Agreement with CIML USA and affiliations with CIPAG, University of Wales, LASU Consult, and other bodies, ISL connects Nigerian professionals to a broader global professional community.
ISL trains men and women in effective supervision and leadership — inculcating the tenets of good supervision and leadership through structured programmes, seminars, workshops and professional membership — for the development of individuals, organisations and Nigeria as a whole.
We see a Nigeria — and an Africa — where every person in a position of leadership has been deliberately prepared for what that position demands. Where authority is matched by competence. Where institutional trust is earned through demonstrated leadership capability.
As responsibility grows through a career, ISL's programmes, membership and professional community grow with the professional. We exist for every stage of the leadership journey — from graduate to fellow, from first supervisor to senior executive.
ISL was established with clear institutional objectives — to develop, protect and advance the practice of supervision and leadership across Nigeria.
To carry out the training of men and women on effective supervision and leadership through structured programmes, seminars, workshops and conferences.
To set, maintain and uphold professional standards in supervision and leadership through examinations, certification, membership grading and professional conduct.
To provide useful information to individuals, organisations and the country as a whole on supervision and leadership matters through publications, research and thought leadership.
To build and maintain a community of qualified supervision and leadership practitioners across all sectors and disciplines in Nigeria.
To maintain professional affiliations with recognised international bodies — giving ISL members access to a broader global professional community and credentials.
To contribute to the overall development of organisations, institutions and Nigeria through the creation of better-prepared, more capable leaders at every level of responsibility.
ISL was established under CAMA and has been a consistent institutional presence in Nigeria's professional development landscape for over 18 years.
The Institute of Supervision and Leadership was established as a professional body under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) No.1, Cap 59 of 1990 — registration number RC 696852 — with a mandate to train professionals in effective supervision and leadership across Nigeria.
ISL developed a structured suite of professional programmes covering supervision, leadership, management, strategy and governance — including the Graduate Membership Certification Programme designed specifically for NYSC corps members and fresh graduates, in partnership with NYSC and NYSC SAED.
ISL established a Reciprocal Agreement with the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership USA (CIML USA) — allowing ISL members to access CIML USA membership at equivalent grades. Further affiliations were established with CIPAG, the University of Wales, LASU Consult and CIML Business School.
ISL held its 12th Induction and Inauguration Ceremony at the University of Lagos, Akoka — themed "Professionalizing Leadership: A Key Approach to Achieving Sustainable Development." Fellows, academics, professionals and new inductees gathered from across Nigeria.
ISL continues to expand its professional training calendar, including the 5-Day Hybrid Professional Training on Succession Planning (September 2026, Lagos and Ondo State) and new programme offerings across the six-level responsibility journey architecture.
ISL's leadership brings together accomplished professionals with extensive expertise in leadership, management, governance, finance and institutional development.
A distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Supervision and Leadership, Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, and Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. Prof. Bowale provides visionary leadership to ISL's mission of training professionals for greater responsibility.
A Fellow of ISL, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership USA, Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration, Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, and Certified National Accountant. Dr. Akinya drives ISL's day-to-day operations and institutional development.
For the full ISL Governing Council, please visit the official ISL website.
View Full Governing CouncilISL membership is structured across five grades — from Student Member to Fellow. Each grade recognises a new level of experience, qualification and professional commitment. Membership is open to professionals from every field and discipline.
| Grade | Designation | Entry Criteria | Annual Subscription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Member | — | ND holder or currently enrolled in an approved tertiary institution | — |
| Graduate Member | GISL | Fresh graduate from a recognised institution of higher learning | ₦5,000 per annum |
| Associate Member | AISL | Passed all required ISL examinations + 5–15 years working experience | ₦10,000 per annum |
| Member | MISL | Associate Member for at least 5 years or 15–20 years corporate experience | ₦15,000 per annum |
| Fellow | FISL | Top supervisory/leadership position for 20+ years with evidence of professional impact at national or international level | ₦20,000 per annum |
ISL members benefit from a Reciprocal Agreement with the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership USA (CIML USA) — one of ISL's established international affiliates.
Under this agreement, ISL members who have completed the required ISL programmes and examinations are eligible for CIML USA membership at the equivalent grade. This is an affiliation agreement — not a separate examination or qualification — and provides ISL members with access to the CIML USA professional community and its associated designations.
Important: ISL's relationship with CIML USA is through a Reciprocal Agreement. This is different from a direct CIML USA enrolment. If you have questions about what this means for your specific membership grade and professional situation, please speak with an ISL adviser.
ISL membership at each grade corresponds to CIML USA membership at the equivalent level under the Reciprocal Agreement. Full details are available from ISL directly.
Specific CIML USA grade equivalencies should be confirmed directly with ISL before relying on them for professional purposes.
ISL maintains formal affiliations with professional bodies, recognised academic institutions and partner organisations that support our objectives and extend the value of ISL membership.
Note on Affiliations: The nature and scope of ISL's relationship with each affiliated body varies. The descriptions above are based on information published on the ISL website. For full, current details of any specific affiliation and what it means for your membership or qualification, please contact ISL directly. Some affiliations listed as "details to verify" require confirmation from ISL before specific claims are made in professional contexts.
Find your ISL programme — or become an ISL member — and begin the preparation your career demands.