Chioma Afe, Director of External Affairs and Social Performance at Seplat Energy, has advocated for a paradigm shift in how Nigerian businesses approach sustainability. Speaking at the 2026 Sustainability Conference organized by the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN), Afe argued that sustainability should no longer be treated as a standalone corporate social responsibility function but as a core risk management tool integrated into business strategy. She emphasized that professionals must move beyond viewing sustainability as a cost center, instead developing commercial awareness and data-driven approaches to demonstrate tangible business value and operational resilience.