By Ladi Gbegi
The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has reiterated its commitment to advancing the human capital development aspect of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during an interview in Abuja, the Registrar and Chief Executive of CIPMN, Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, emphasized the institute’s key role in enhancing skills and knowledge to support the initiative.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not something that can be accomplished in one year. Human capital development is one of the central pillars of this administration. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it clear that it’s not just about subsidies or handouts.
“He understands this is a challenging time. Our role at CIPMN is to drive the human capital development part of this agenda while other elements are handled by other stakeholders,” Mbadiwe stated.
He explained that CIPMN is collaborating with various agencies, including the Bureau of Public Procurement, to ensure that only certified project managers are entrusted with managing projects across Nigeria. Mbadiwe expressed concern about the lack of qualified personnel handling projects within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), which often leads to inefficiencies and abandoned projects.
“CIPMN can ensure that every project in Nigeria is managed by a licensed project manager. If MDAs prioritize planning, risk management, and supply chain management in all their activities, we will see a reduction in abandoned projects. It all boils down to the human capital and skill sets of those managing the projects,” he said.
According to Mbadiwe, the CIPMN Act mandates that all project managers in Nigeria must be certified by the institute. He warned that those managing projects in the public or private sectors without the necessary qualifications are in violation of the law.
He further announced that, beginning in 2024, the institute will start enforcing the law, holding non-compliant organizations accountable. “By 2024, we will begin enforcing the Act and will publicly call out agencies that fail to comply,” he warned.
Highlighting recent achievements, Mbadiwe shared that CIPMN has developed a Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) for project management in Nigerian universities. Additionally, the institute has launched a skills development program for artisans, in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) SUPA initiative, which introduces project planning, risk management, and stakeholder management to artisans to boost their productivity and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Mbadiwe also addressed past governance challenges within the institute, stating that the previous governing council had been legally dissolved and that he had been reappointed as Registrar. He criticized former council members for continuing to claim leadership despite a court ruling confirming their removal.
“The legitimate leadership of CIPMN today is the result of the President’s 2022 decision to dissolve the former council and appoint new leadership,” he concluded.
