The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) will begin enforcing its project management licensing requirements on April 1.
The Director-General, Mr Henry Mbadiwe, made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mbadiwe spoke on the sidelines of the inauguration of the institute’s Governing Council by the Minister of State for Industry, where stakeholders emphasised the need for compliance with the CIPMN Act.
He explained that the enforcement aimed to ensure that only licensed professionals managed projects across both public and private sectors in Nigeria.
“The enforcement team is currently being assembled, with initial operations set to begin in Abuja and Lagos before expanding nationwide.
“The enforcement will commence on April 1, 2025. The team is undergoing training throughout March to ensure readiness,” Mbadiwe stated.
He reiterated that under the CIPMN Act, no individual was permitted to lead or manage a project in Nigeria without obtaining a license from the institute.
“This includes project managers in Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), private firms, and academic institutions.
“To support this initiative, CIPMN has partnered with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to develop Nigeria’s first project management curriculum, now being adopted by universities.”
Mbadiwe also highlighted the institute’s ongoing collaboration with regulatory bodies like the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), and the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to promote best practices across industries.
He acknowledged the challenge of nationwide sensitisation but assured that CIPMN would collaborate with federal ministries to raise awareness and ensure compliance.
“We are committed to ensuring that project management standards in Nigeria align with global best practices, and enforcement is a crucial step in achieving this goal,” he said.
CIPMN President Mr Emmanuel Afolayan called on stakeholders, including the media, to support the sensitisation campaign and emphasised the importance of disseminating accurate information.
He added that the institute planned to establish regional offices across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to enhance enforcement and engage more closely with project managers nationwide.
The enforcement drive marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s project management landscape, with CIPMN poised to play a central role in professionalising the sector. (NAN)
