In a landmark move to recognise distinguished individuals who have made outstanding contributions to human capital development, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has introduced a new membership grade known as Honorary Member of CIPM (HCIPM). This exclusive designation is reserved for non-members who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, influence, and impact in the field of people management and industrial relations. The HCIPM title not only acknowledges their achievements but also aligns them with the Institute’s mission to elevate the standards of human resource practice across Nigeria and beyond.
The Honorary Membership, which will be conferred during the CIPM International Conference and Exhibition, is one of the Institute’s most prestigious recognitions. It celebrates exceptional leaders who, though not existing members of the Institute, have demonstrated remarkable influence in shaping the world of work, strengthening people management practices, and promoting the objectives of CIPM in various capacities.
To be considered for the award, nominees must meet a set of rigorous requirements that reflect both professional accomplishment and personal commitment to advancing human capital. At the baseline, nominees must hold at least a bachelor’s degree, higher national diploma, or an equivalent qualification. Beyond this, they are expected to have made outstanding contributions to the practice of human resource management, whether through organisational initiatives, public leadership, academic publications, or other efforts that have enhanced the responsiveness and effectiveness of people management and industrial relations.
The Institute notes that eligible individuals are typically drawn from positions of significant responsibility, including managing directors and chief executives of blue-chip organisations, military and paramilitary heads, respected traditional rulers, federal and state ministers or commissioners, secretaries to government at national and state levels, and lawmakers chairing key committees on labour and establishment matters. Also considered are vice chancellors and other heads of tertiary institutions, chief executives of government parastatals, diplomats, leaders of reputable non-governmental organisations, and heads of prominent religious institutions.
To maintain the award’s prestige, nominees must be recommended by two financial members of CIPM, and such nominations must also be endorsed by a member of the Institute’s Council, a past president, or a member of the current leadership team. The Membership Committee undertakes a thorough review and assessment of all nominations before forwarding successful names to the Governing Council for approval.
Successful candidates will be formally admitted as Honorary Members of CIPM and may use the Institute’s designatory initials with a prefix — HCIPM. While honorary members are not required to pay annual dues and cannot vote or hold elective office, they remain bound by the same code of conduct and disciplinary procedures as regular members. In keeping with CIPM’s standards of exclusivity, no more than ten individuals will be admitted through this route in any given year.
The conferral of honorary membership is not only a personal achievement for recipients but also a public affirmation of the Institute’s mission to champion professionalism, ethics, and excellence in people management. By honouring leaders across sectors, CIPM reinforces the central role of human capital in national development.
For members of the HR community, the award also stands as a reminder of the Institute’s far-reaching influence and its determination to celebrate those who share its vision of building workplaces where competence, accountability, and integrity are non-negotiable.
For more information, please visit the CIPM website: https://cipmnigeria.org/2025/08/28/cipm-introduces-honorary-membership/
