The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has introduced a new pathway that allows qualified Associate members to upgrade to the Full Member grade through an accelerated process. The initiative is designed to recognize and reward highly experienced human resource professionals who have made significant contributions to the profession and their organizations.
The initiative is open only to Associate Members who have spent a minimum of three years in the grade from the date of admission. The scheme will be made available once every three years and will run for a period of one year upon announcement.
To qualify, applicants are expected to meet strict eligibility requirements that combine educational attainment, professional experience, and active participation in the Institute’s programmes. Candidates must hold a higher degree, such as a Master’s or Ph.D., and possess at least twelve years of post-graduation and NYSC work experience. Six of those years must be in core human resource or administrative roles, with at least five years served at the senior
management or executive level in a recognised organisation. Positions considered eligible include Head of Department, Senior Manager, Team Lead, Functional Lead, Senior Specialist, or Senior HR Consultant, as well as equivalent grades from Level 15 and above.
In addition to professional standing, applicants must demonstrate evidence of engagement in the Institute’s activities. This includes participation in learning programmes such as the Mandatory Continuous Professional Education (MCPE), Special HR Forum, or the International Conference and Exhibition, with at least three attendances recorded within the last three years. Other conditions include holding a valid HR Practitioners’ License, membership of an HR chapter or state branch, attendance at state conferences and Annual General Meetings, and participation in National Committee or Council meetings.
Applicants are also required to have attended at least two other non-fee-paying events of the Institute and to have contributed to knowledge-sharing or professional development initiatives. Acceptable contributions include publishing HR-related articles, facilitating CIPM training, serving as an examiner, mentoring and coaching young professionals, or providing internship opportunities.
The assessment process involves a two-stage evaluation. First, applicants must score a minimum of 40 out of 70 in the application review before being invited to the interview stage, where a minimum of 10 out of 20 must be scored by the applicant. Successful candidates will then be required to attend a one-day Strategic Human Resource Management Master Class as part of the upgrade process. Final approval is subject to the ratification of the Governing Council.
The Accelerated Upgrade is a significant milestone in the Institute’s efforts to reward excellence and recognise the contribution of experienced professionals to the growth of human resource management in Nigeria. The Institute encourages qualified Associates to seize the opportunity as a pathway to advancing their professional standing and expanding their influence within the HR community. For more details, please visit the CIPM website: https://cipmnigeria.org/2025/08/28/accelerated-upgrade-from-associate-to-full-member/
