The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has inducted 1,097 new members into the human resource (HR) profession, reinforcing the message that HR practice in Nigeria is a regulated field requiring formal certification.
This was disclosed during the Institute’s 64th Induction Ceremony, which took place in Lagos recently. The event brought together HR professionals, academics, business leaders, and government officials to welcome the newest members into the profession and highlight the legal responsibilities that come with the title of HR practitioner.
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Ahmed L. Gobir, addressed the inductees with a clear message: human resource management is not an open field for just anyone. According to him, it is a statutory profession backed by the laws of Nigeria.
“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.
He added that the legal requirement applies across all sectors — public, private, and non-governmental — stressing that all HR roles must be filled by certified professionals. Gobir said the Institute remains committed to its responsibility of ensuring professionalism and regulatory oversight in the field.
The induction ceremony was held under the theme ‘Human Resource Management: Past, Present and Future’, reflecting on the journey and growth of the HR profession in Nigeria and globally. Gobir encouraged the inductees to uphold excellence and to see their roles as more than administrative. He described HR professionals as “architects of workplace excellence, custodians of organisational culture, and guardians of business growth.”
He also highlighted that CIPM’s certification has international value, citing partnerships and mutual recognition agreements with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in the United Kingdom and the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) in Canada. These international links are aimed at expanding the global relevance of Nigerian HR practitioners.
Keynote speaker Leslie George, a respected voice in the HR and business community, gave an inspiring address to the inductees. He reminded them that human resources go beyond processes and paperwork. “HR is not just about people; it’s about the power of people,” George said, urging them to see the human element as the core driver of every successful business.
The induction adds to the Institute’s steady expansion, which recently saw over 2,000 members added at its annual general meeting and 188 new inductees recorded in earlier ceremonies. CIPM has also been actively involved in public service reform, partnering with leaders like Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to improve HR management in the public sector.
CIPM said the induction is part of its broader strategy to uphold professional standards and enforce compliance with the law. The Institute reiterated that it will not relent in its efforts to shape a more professional and competent HR landscape in Nigeria.
By continuing to regulate HR practice, CIPM aims to ensure that only qualified individuals guide Nigeria’s workforce strategy and people management practices, especially as HR becomes increasingly strategic in business operations.
The newly inducted members now join a growing network of certified HR professionals in Nigeria tasked with improving workplace standards, driving business success, and maintaining compliance with local and international HR principles.
