NIMN gets tough on non-professionals

The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) has announced that it would no longer be possible for any marketing practitioner, not certified by the institute, to secure a marketing employment in any corporate organisation in the country, as from January  1, 2018.

Making this known recently when the newly-elected executive members of the Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) paid a courtesy visit to the institute, recently, in Lagos,  the President of NIMN, Mr. Tony Agenmonmen, stated that the institute had perfected plans to ensure that  being a member of the NIMN, would constitute a major requirement, before a marketing practitioner is given a marketing job in any organization in the country, as from  next year.

He, however, added  that  the institute,  still intends to drive compliance through discussion and allow people to voluntarily comply than wielding the big stick.

The NIMN boss  described the courtesy call on the ADVAN team as an opportunity for the two groups of marketing professionals to share ideas, get to know each other, as well as promote excellence in the marketing profession.

“ADVAN is the collective for most of the big marketing organisations and NIMN is the umbrella body of all marketing professionals in Nigeria.  So to a large extent, ADVAN is a sub-sect of NIMN. All ADVAN members by definition are members of NIMN.

“The fact that we are starting the full compliance,  by January 2018, was also discussed  with them. Like I said, most of the big marketing organisations are members of ADVAN. They need to encourage  their members who are not currently members of NIMN to come.

“I need to stress here that as from January, next year, it is mandatory for every organization that is hiring a marketing person to demand for membership of the institute.

“You can have your B.Sc or PHD Marketing, but if any organization wants to employ you as from January 2018, you must produce an evidence that you are indeed a professional marketer, that is a member of NIMN,” he stated.

In her remarks, the newly-elected president of ADVAN, Folake Ani-Mumuney, assured the institute of her association’s support, adding that the new exco would do everything within its power to ensure that marketing practice enjoys a pride of place in the country.