CIPSSON TASFUED Marks International Secretaries Day 2026, Urges Professional Rebranding and Continuous Development

The Chartered Institute of Professional Secretarial Staff of Nigeria (CIPSSON), TAI Solarin University of Education (TASUED) branch, has marked the 2026 International Secretaries Day with a strong call for professional rebranding, self-development, and sustained capacity building among secretarial staff.

The event, held at the SSANU Secretariat, brought together members of the institute, sister unions, and invited guests in a celebration focused on the evolving role of secretaries in institutional administration.

In her welcome address, the branch President, Mrs Kehinde T. Ettu, described secretaries as the backbone of institutional operations, noting that their contributions remain central to efficiency, coordination, and organizational success.

She stated that although the profession has evolved significantly, its core value as a support system for executive and administrative effectiveness remains unchanged.

A major highlight of the event was a lecture delivered by Dr Ruth B. Oluwasina of the Department of Business Education, titled “A Strong Office Needs a Strong Secretary.”

Dr Oluwasina challenged outdated perceptions of the profession, stressing that modern secretarial practice is no longer defined by low qualification levels but by advanced academic and professional expertise, including postgraduate training.

She urged practitioners to embrace continuous learning and skill development, warning that technological advancement is reshaping office administration and reducing reliance on routine clerical functions.

Goodwill messages from sister unions reinforced the call for professional growth. The Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Akeem Kehinde, congratulated the institute and emphasized the need for members to upgrade their competencies in line with digital transformation trends.

He noted that increasing automation now enables executives to perform several tasks independently, making adaptability and upskilling essential for relevance in modern workplaces.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), represented by Dr Abdullahi Oyekanmi, described the lecture as timely, emphasizing that secretaries remain indispensable to effective institutional administration.

He highlighted resilience, professionalism, and continuous improvement as key attributes required for long-term success in the field.

The programme began with an awareness rally across the campus and featured goodwill support from sister unions, who also made donations in solidarity.

The celebration concluded on a positive note, with participants reaffirming the strategic importance of secretarial professionals in sustaining institutional efficiency and administrative excellence.