The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria has reaffirmed that practising Human Resource Management in Nigeria without its certification is illegal, as outlined in federal legislation regulating the profession.
Speaking at the Institute’s 64th Induction Ceremony held recently in Lagos, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mallam Ahmed Gobir, said that HR practice in Nigeria is governed by law and must adhere to professional standards.
“In accordance with the provisions of our enabling Act, CAP I15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, anyone practising human resource management in Nigeria without CIPM certification is in breach of statutory regulations,” Gobir said during the event themed ‘Human Resource Management: Past, Present and Future’.
He noted that the law applies across sectors: public, private, and civil society: “The law is clear, and we will continue to uphold our mandate to professionalise and regulate HR practice in Nigeria.”
A total of 1,097 new members were admitted into the profession at the ceremony through three qualifying routes: 21 through the Executive Route, 212 via the HR Practitioners Route, and 864 as Associate Members through the Professional Examination Route.
Gobir urged the inductees to see themselves as key players in transforming Nigeria’s work culture.
“You have not just joined a professional body; you have joined a movement. You are now architects of workplace excellence, custodians of organisational culture, and guardians of business growth,” the chairman remarked.
He mentioned the global mobility afforded by CIPM certification, referencing mutual recognition agreements with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the UK and the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources in Canada.
“Our certificates are global passports,” Gobir told the new members. “We urge you to explore international opportunities and contribute to the global HR landscape.”
The keynote address was delivered by a seasoned human resource and business management professional, Leslie George, who drew from extensive industry experience to challenge the new members to lead with empathy and strategy. “HR is not just about people; it’s about the power of people,” he said.
The Institute said the event not only marked a career milestone for the inductees but also reinforced its mission to enforce compliance, raise professional standards, and shape the future of HR in Nigeria.
