CIPMN certifies 500 after threat to ban unregistered project managers

Barely two days after threatening to ban unlicensed individuals from managing projects in the country, the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has certified, licensed, and inducted about 500 individuals into the institute.

CIPMN Registrar, Mr Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, issued the warning on Monday in Abuja during the ongoing 2024 annual project management conference of the institute. He stated that foreigners and locals managing projects without a license would no longer be allowed to do so from January 2025.

During the induction of the certified and licensed members on Wednesday in Abuja, Mbadiwe disclosed that this development brings the total number of certified and licensed members to over 1,000. However, he lamented that the figure is insufficient given the number of projects in the country being managed by uncertified individuals.

He urged heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government to encourage project managers at the ministry level to approach the institute for certification and licensing. He added that the institute aims to license a total of 5,000 project managers by 2026.

“Even if we are inducting close to 500 members today, it is not enough, and we still have a lot of development programs prepared for them. We are hoping that CIPMN, at a minimum, clocks 5,000 members in the next two years.

“Whether we teach them via project-based learning, simulated-based learning, or work-based learning, whatever principle we choose to use will ensure that the certificate or license they have demonstrates practical experience in delivering projects.

“Project management transcends all sectors. We want Nigerians to understand that project management is not limited to construction, oil and gas, or engineering.

“Now, we have projects in every field — the ability to plan a new initiative, manage the risks attached to it, and handle changes or variations. These are project management principles and practices essential for any new initiative in this country.

“It does not matter whether it is in construction, financial services, healthcare, or any other sector; project management is critical. Today, we are handing over certificates of membership and licenses to close to 500 individuals.

“After two years of this council, we can boast of close to 1,000 certified project managers in Nigeria, and with licensed members now joining, this is a significant feat.”

Mbadiwe also lamented the absence of project management departments in 90 percent of federal universities in the country. He urged universities to create such departments so that the institute could collaborate with them.