The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has reaffirmed that the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) is the only institution saddled with the statutory authority to certify human resources (HR) professionals in Nigeria.
It said this is in line with its enabling act, thus positioning the institute as the indispensable partner in delivering the professionalism agenda.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, said this at a sensitisation workshop, where she unveiled ‘The HR Initiative’ — a landmark reform aimed at professionalising HR management within the federal civil service.
In her keynote address, Walson-Jack stressed the urgent need to reposition HR practice in government, describing it as the “nervous system of any effective organisation.”
She outlined that the reform, anchored on global best practices, would ensure that career progression into directorate-level roles requires professional certification in HR management.
President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Ahmed Gobir, who welcomed the reform, described it as “a defining moment for Nigeria’s public sector.” He noted that with CIPM’s decades-long commitment to advancing HR standards, the institute was fully prepared to guide the civil service through the transformation.
“CIPM is proud to play a pivotal role in shaping a new era of professionalism, competence, and accountability in the Federal Civil Service. This reform reinforces our mandate to develop ethical and world-class HR practitioners who drive sustainable people and organisational performance,” he said.
The HR Initiative will introduce a national HR competency framework, accreditation by CIPM and international partners, curriculum review for Management Development Institutes, and a transition plan requiring officers in HR roles to commence certification within 12 months. By January 2026, preference in HR postings will go to certified or actively certifying professionals.
The reform is in line with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25) and will institutionalise HR as a specialised, professional function rather than a generalist administrative role.
With this development, Gobir said CIPM’s leadership as the statutory regulator of HR practice in Nigeria was further consolidated. He added that the institute remained committed to partnering with government, professional bodies, and international organisations to ensure that Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service becomes globally benchmarked, citizen-focused, and future-ready.
