CIPM advocates institutional framework for AfCFTA implementation

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has called for an institutional response and framework for the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The institute said the commencement of AfCFTA presents to the continent, a unique opportunity to transform the African economy and create new job opportunities through an inclusive work environment and adaptable workforce.

Speaking on ‘The Commencement of AfCFTA: Opportunities for the Work Environment’, Vice-Chancellor, Lead City University, Prof. Aderemi Adeyemo, at the CIPM second international academic conference, organised by CIPM, in collaboration with Lead City University, said the confab was designed to proffer solutions on issues relating to the impacts of AfCFTA on Human Resource (HR) theory and practice, building an inclusive work environment and adaptable workforce; virtual work and employee well-being, as well as successful implementation of AfCFTA.

The don said harnessing opportunities presented by AfCFTA would build a more prosperous, equitable and integrated Africa.

According to him, it will provide opportunity for professionals, academics and students to exchange ideas on crucial issues, curricula and skills for cross-boundary employability to make major contributions to the development of its immediate community and industry at large.

Also, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who was represented by Prof Peter Olapegba, noted that the theme was a topical issue with a far-reaching implication for socio-economic development for Nigeria and by extension, Africa.

Stating that it was a good thing that Africa was coming together as a bloc for developmental purposes, he said to avoid a pitfall, Africans should consider its peculiarities as a continent and build a system that it can truly own and a system that can work for Africa.

Similarly, Prof. Pat Utomi of Political Economy at the Lagos Business School (LBS), noted that at the centre of AfCFTA discussions, countries across the continent needed to build trust to work together.

Utomi, who mentioned that AfCFTA was already building traction, however, said there were issues of cultural differences in doing business.

He said: “We have to act locally to get people to work together across boundaries. To remedy this situation, institutions have a role to play in preserving the local content as peculiar to each country. Academicians have the raole to play in sponsoring case studies on what is obtainable.”

Moving forward, he raised the need for big initiatives such as, funding huge trading companies across boundaries, adding that the banking sector is playing in various regions across the continent.

Earlier, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, CIPM, Olusegun Mojeed, said there is a need to bridge the gap between the town and the gown and also between academic theories and strategic human resource management by providing a platform for stimulating a highly intellectual discourse on the shared perspective of both sectors.