Practising HR without certification illegal, CIPM warns

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has said that only professionals certified by the institute are permitted by law to practise HR in Nigeria, cautioning that individuals who operate without certification remain in breach of existing regulations.

The institute’s President and Chairman of Council, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, who gave the warning at the institute’s 68th Induction Ceremony for 1,261 new members held in Lagos, also announced plans by the institute to begin the delisting of non-financial members from December 31 this year, urging members to regularise their membership status by paying their annual dues.

While reiterating the institute’s mandate as the sole regulatory body for Human Resource Management practice in Nigeria, the CIPM boss advised professionals to build workplaces where employees find engagement, fulfilment, and a deep sense of belonging.

Charging the new inductees on the need to uphold CIPM’s professional standards, Mallam Gobir stressed that the event’s theme, “Beyond Engagement to Fulfilment: Building a Culture that Nurtures Belonging and Purpose at Work”, had become imperative since modern organisations require more than traditional engagement strategies.

He therefore urged the new inductees to become active chapter members and invest continuously in professional development through the institute’s different platforms, such as the HR Leadership Academy, the CIPM and You Webinar Series, the International Conference and Exhibition, and other learning avenues.

The CIPM boss also counselled the inductees on the need to identify mentors whose values and professional journeys they admire, as such guidance remains crucial for shaping successful HR careers.

Examining the gap between employee engagement and employee fulfilment, the event’s Guest Lecturer and Chief Consultant at Kingspride Consult Limited, Mr Kayode Abe, described weak workplace culture, poor compensation structures, and low belonging as significant threats to retention.

Abe, who is also a fellow of the practice, encouraged the inductees to choose the path of certified, forward-thinking professionals ready to drive visible transformation.

He added that their induction placed an obligation on them to help organisations transition from mere engagement to sustained fulfilment while nurturing cultures that value people and promote purpose.

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