The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has unequivocally asserted the illegality of practicing Human Resource Management (HRM) in Nigeria without its requisite certification. This declaration, rooted in the federal legislation governing the profession, underscores the Institute’s commitment to upholding professional standards and regulating HR practice across all sectors of the Nigerian economy. The pronouncement was made during the Institute’s 64th Induction Ceremony, a landmark event that welcomed over a thousand new members into the fold of certified HR professionals. This induction not only represents a significant career milestone for the inductees but also reinforces CIPM’s mandate to ensure compliance, elevate professional standards, and shape the future trajectory of HRM in Nigeria.
The legal framework underpinning this mandate is enshrined in the enabling Act, CAP I15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. This legislation explicitly stipulates that practicing HRM without CIPM certification constitutes a breach of statutory regulations, a point emphatically reiterated by Mallam Ahmed Gobir, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM. He stressed the universality of this law, highlighting its application across all sectors, encompassing public, private, and civil society organizations. This unambiguous declaration serves as a clear signal of CIPM’s resolve to actively enforce compliance and maintain the integrity of the HR profession in Nigeria.
The 64th Induction Ceremony, themed ‘Human Resource Management: Past, Present and Future,’ witnessed the formal admission of 1,097 new members, representing a significant influx of certified professionals into the HR landscape. These new members qualified through diverse routes, reflecting the inclusivity and varied pathways to professional recognition offered by CIPM. 21 individuals joined through the Executive Route, designed for experienced senior HR practitioners. Another 212 members entered through the HR Practitioners Route, tailored for individuals with practical HR experience. The largest cohort, comprising 864 individuals, joined as Associate Members through the rigorous Professional Examination Route, demonstrating their commitment to acquiring the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for successful HR practice.
Addressing the inductees, Mallam Gobir urged them to embrace their roles as pivotal agents of change in transforming Nigeria’s work culture. He emphasized their newly acquired status not merely as members of a professional body but as integral components of a larger movement dedicated to workplace excellence. He charged them to uphold the mantle of custodians of organizational culture and guardians of business growth, highlighting the profound impact HR professionals can exert on the overall success and sustainability of organizations. This call to action underscores the crucial role HR plays in shaping organizational behavior, fostering positive work environments, and driving productivity.
The global recognition accorded to CIPM certification was also underscored during the ceremony. Mallam Gobir highlighted the Institute’s mutual recognition agreements with prestigious international bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in the UK and the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) in Canada. These agreements underscore the global portability of CIPM certification, enabling Nigerian HR professionals to pursue international opportunities and contribute to the global HR landscape. This international recognition not only enhances the professional standing of CIPM members but also facilitates knowledge exchange and collaboration with HR professionals worldwide.
The keynote address, delivered by seasoned HR and business management professional Leslie George, provided a compelling perspective on the evolving nature of HR. Drawing on extensive industry experience, George challenged the new inductees to adopt a leadership approach characterized by empathy and strategic thinking. He emphasized the human-centric nature of HR, highlighting its focus not merely on people as resources but on harnessing the inherent power of individuals to drive organizational success. This perspective underscores the transformative potential of HR in shaping positive workplace dynamics, fostering employee engagement, and maximizing human capital. The induction ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the crucial role CIPM plays in shaping the future of HR in Nigeria, ensuring compliance with professional standards, and empowering HR professionals to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth and development.
