This study investigates the effect of Competitive Intelligence (CI) in supporting sustainable innovation (SI) in Nigerian family-owned businesses (FOB), with a specific emphasis on the moderating effects of Generational Ownership (GO), Business Agility (BA), and Strategic Planning (SP). Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 237 respondents drawn from 25 Nigerian family-owned firms in diverse sectors and analyzed using regression analysis. The results suggest a positive correlation between CI and sustainable innovation, which confirms that CI substantially improves a company's ability to implement sustainable practices. The result also revealed that Generational Ownership moderates this relationship, as family businesses owned by the third or fourth generation exhibit greater dedication to sustainability through CI. The impact of CI on sustainable innovation was also found to be enhanced by Business Agility and Strategic Planning. This suggests that family businesses with well-structured and dynamic planning processes are better positioned to leverage CI for long-term sustainability. The findings of this study have practical implications for Nigerian family business leaders, policymakers, and practitioners by emphasizing the significance of CI and adaptive practices in the context of swiftly changing markets concerning resilience. Providing a pathway for family-owned businesses in emergent economies to contribute to sustainable development through informed, innovation-driven strategies, this study is in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure.