The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening human resource management education and professional practice in Nigeria through a proposed strategic partnership with the University of Lagos.
This was made known during a courtesy visit by a CIPM delegation, led by the Vice President, Mrs. Chidinma Obiejesi, FCIPM, on behalf of the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, at her office on Monday, March 16, 2026.
In advancing the Institute’s vision, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, reiterated in his address CIPM’s strategic focus on deepening engagement with tertiary institutions to promote human capital development and uphold global standards in people management. His message, delivered by the Vice-President, Mrs. Obiejesi, highlighted key areas of collaboration designed to create long-term value for both institutions.
Central to the proposal is the integration of CIPM’s professional certification pathway into the university system, enabling students to pursue dual qualifications that combine academic excellence with globally recognised professional credentials. The Institute also proposed structured membership engagement for the University’s leadership, management staff, and HR practitioners, alongside initiatives to introduce students early to the benefits of professional certification.
To further strengthen this collaboration, CIPM proposed the establishment of a Study Centre within the University to support continuous learning, certification, and capacity building. The Institute also invited UNILAG’s academic community to actively participate in the 3rd CIPM International Academic Conference, scheduled to hold at the University from June 2–3, 2026.
In her response, Professor Ogunsola expressed strong enthusiasm for the partnership, noting its potential to significantly enhance student employability and professional readiness. She emphasised that the collaboration aligns with the University’s commitment to industry engagement, adding that it would also strengthen the professionalisation of the University Registry through structured training and capacity development.
The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted the value of such partnerships in bridging academia and industry, enabling faculty members to gain deeper insights into evolving workplace dynamics while shaping relevant and impactful research.
The engagement reflects CIPM’s broader strategic objective of building sustainable partnerships across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to drive excellence in human resource management, expand professional opportunities, and position the HR profession as a critical enabler of national development.
Both parties expressed optimism about the collaboration, recognising its potential to advance professional education, enhance institutional capacity, and contribute meaningfully to the future of work in Nigeria.
