Chartered institute admits Adepeju Nafisat Sanusi to fellowship rank

The Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management has admitted Adepeju Nafisat Sanusi into its Fellowship, the highest professional grade awarded by the body, marking a significant milestone in her career within construction project management and strategic administration.

The induction, announced by the Institute’s Governing Council, places Sanusi among a select group of professionals recognised for sustained contributions to organisational leadership, infrastructure delivery, and the advancement of management systems.

Fellowship of the Institute is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated long-term professional impact, strategic influence, and a record of service that extends beyond routine practice.

According to the Institute, the Fellowship grade is not open to direct application. Candidates are identified through a nomination and review process overseen by the Governing Council, which comprises senior academics, legal practitioners, and industry leaders.

Nominees are assessed on professional experience, intellectual contribution, leadership capacity, and evidence of influence on policy, practice, or institutional development. Sanusi’s selection followed an extensive review of her professional and academic work, particularly in construction project management, procurement systems, and sustainable infrastructure delivery.

The Council noted her involvement in projects and research that address cost efficiency, risk management, and environmental performance in the built environment. With her elevation, Sanusi is entitled to use the post-nominal letters FCISM and gains full participation rights within the Institute’s governance structure, including voting and eligibility for elected office.

Fellows are also expected to contribute to the Institute’s thought leadership agenda through research, mentoring, and professional engagement.

The Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management is an international professional body focused on promoting effective management systems, strategic thinking, and information-driven decision-making across public and private sectors.

It maintains that Fellowship represents both recognition and responsibility, requiring ongoing adherence to professional standards and ethical conduct.

Sanusi’s professional background is rooted in quantity surveying, a discipline concerned with cost control, procurement, and financial management in construction.

Over the course of her career, she has worked across the project life cycle, coordinating budgets, procurement schedules, and compliance frameworks in complex project environments.

Her work has frequently involved bridging technical construction requirements with strategic oversight, particularly in the public sector and large-scale developments. Colleagues and reviewers cited her ability to identify budget risks early, improve the accuracy of cost forecasting, and support decision-making through structured data analysis.

Beyond professional practice, Sanusi has developed a growing academic and research profile. Her research interests include the application of digital tools and artificial intelligence in construction cost prediction, as well as procurement models aimed at reducing carbon emissions in infrastructure delivery.

These areas have gained increasing attention as governments and institutions seek to align infrastructure development with climate and sustainability targets. The Institute said her research output and analytical approach reflected the type of forward looking thinking expected of Fellows.

Rather than focusing solely on project execution, her work examines how information systems and strategic planning can improve long term outcomes, reduce waste, and enhance accountability. As part of the Fellowship, Sanusi will have access to the Institute’s international network of professionals and researchers through conferences, seminars, and symposia.

She is also eligible to publish in the Journal of Information and Strategic Management, which serves as a platform for peer-reviewed research and professional discourse. The Governing Council highlighted her role in mentoring junior professionals and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.

In construction and infrastructure projects, she has worked closely with architects, engineers, contractors, and clients, navigating competing priorities while maintaining focus on cost control, quality standards, and programme delivery.

This collaborative approach was cited as increasingly important in an industry facing pressures from rapid urbanisation, funding constraints, and climate-related risks. The Institute noted that effective infrastructure delivery now depends on coordination across technical, financial, and policy domains, rather than isolated expertise.

Sanusi’s academic training in quantity surveying provided the technical foundation for this approach, but her subsequent work expanded into broader strategic and policy considerations. Her research has explored how procurement systems can be redesigned to support low-carbon construction without undermining financial viability, a challenge faced by both developed and emerging economies.

In evaluating her nomination, the Council considered evidence of impact rather than length of service alone. Fellows are expected to demonstrate that their work has influenced organisational practices, professional standards, or industry thinking.

In Sanusi’s case, this included contributions to improving procurement transparency, integrating digital tools into cost management, and advocating for evidence-based decision-making. The Institute also pointed to her emphasis on ethics and integrity in procurement and project administration.

In sectors where cost overruns and governance failures are common, ethical standards and accountability remain central concerns. Sanusi’s work was assessed as aligning with the Institute’s code of conduct and professional values. Her elevation comes at a time when strategic management is gaining prominence in discussions about economic resilience and infrastructure development.

Effective management systems are increasingly seen as critical to delivering value for money, managing risk, and ensuring that public investments achieve intended social and economic outcomes.

The Institute said the Fellowship reflects not only individual achievement but also the broader role of strategic professionals in shaping modern workplaces and infrastructure systems. Fellows are expected to act as ambassadors for best practice and to support the Institute’s mission of professional education and standards development.

While the induction marks a personal milestone, the Institute emphasised that Fellowship status is subject to continuous professional engagement. Fellows are required to remain active in research, professional development, and knowledge sharing to ensure their expertise remains current and relevant.

For Sanusi, this includes continuing her work at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and the built environment. Her ongoing focus on resilient infrastructure, green building methods, and modular construction aligns with global efforts to address housing shortages, climate adaptation, and resource efficiency.

The recognition also places her among a small group of professionals contributing to conversations about the future of construction and infrastructure management. Through the Institute’s platforms, her work is expected to reach policymakers, practitioners, and academics beyond her immediate professional networks.

The Governing Council described her admission as a reflection of sustained commitment rather than a single achievement. From early exposure to government procurement systems to more advanced roles involving strategic planning and risk management, her career trajectory was assessed as demonstrating growth, adaptability, and leadership capacity.

As she assumes the Fellowship designation, expectations remain high. Fellows are encouraged to support institutional governance, contribute to policy discussions, and mentor the next generation of professionals.

The Institute expressed confidence that Sanusi would continue to meet these expectations, given her track record. The induction of Adepeju Nafisat Sanusi adds to the Institute’s growing Fellowship body at a time when interdisciplinary expertise is increasingly valued.

Her combination of technical knowledge, strategic insight, and research orientation reflects the evolving demands placed on professionals operating in complex economic and environmental contexts.

In recognising her, the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management reaffirmed its emphasis on leadership, innovation, and ethical practice as cornerstones of professional excellence.

The Fellowship serves both as an acknowledgement of past contributions and as a platform for future influence within the field of information and strategy management.