'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has called on its members to strictly adhere to the institute’s extant laws to combat the growing involvement of quacks in project management. This was the highlight of the institute’s maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Abuja after a three-day conference themed “Project Management: The Universal Language of Success.”
Speaking at the AGM, the Registrar and CEO of CIPMN, Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, emphasized the institute's commitment to ensuring that only certified and registered members handle projects in Nigeria. He described the AGM as a platform to address critical challenges affecting the organization and its mission.
“In today’s AGM, we are committed to going out and ensuring that the purpose of the Institute is fulfilled. We cannot do it alone as Council members but will achieve it in partnership with our members and other relevant agencies,” Mbadiwe said. He added that the institute aims to use the platform to advance capacity development among its members.
The Council Chairman, Mr. Olabode Afolayan, also addressed the gathering, stressing the Council's resolve to tackle the issue of abandoned projects nationwide. He attributed the rising cases of project failures to the involvement of unqualified individuals in project management.
“Going around the country, you see the impact of unqualified individuals managing projects. It is evident in the poorly executed projects we encounter daily,” Afolayan said.
He announced that from next year, the Council will aggressively implement strategies to enforce compliance with project management laws, ensuring that only qualified professionals handle critical projects.
Afolayan also called for widespread sensitization and emphasized the importance of certification, particularly within government and public institutions. He noted that adherence to these standards would lead to the delivery of meaningful and impactful projects.
The AGM marked a significant milestone for CIPMN, with members pledging their support to uphold the standards of the institute and address the challenges of professionalism in project management across Nigeria.
