'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has taken a decisive step in addressing Nigeria’s endemic problem of abandoned projects by inducting 500 licensed project managers during its 2024 Annual Project Management Conference, Induction, and Annual General Meeting held in Abuja on December 4, 2024.
The Registrar of CIPMN, Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, highlighted the critical role of certified project managers in ensuring the successful execution of initiatives across all sectors, not just in construction and engineering.
“Project management is about planning new initiatives, managing risks, and adapting to changes,” Mbadiwe explained during an interview. “It is a universal language, applicable across industries like healthcare, financial services, and education. These principles are essential to halt the prevalence of failed and abandoned projects in Nigeria.”
Tackling Abandoned Projects Through Certification
Mbadiwe attributed the large number of abandoned projects in Nigeria to the lack of certified project managers. He emphasized that licensing professionals is not merely a formality but a way to harmonize project management practices across the country.
“When we have enough certified project managers, we’ll begin to see less waste of resources and fewer abandoned projects. Certification ensures that project managers possess not just theoretical knowledge but hands-on experience to deliver projects successfully,” he noted.
While the induction of 500 licensed managers is a significant achievement, Mbadiwe stressed that it represents only a “drop in the ocean.” He called on ministries, departments, agencies, and private sector organizations to prioritize licensing their project managers.
A New Era of Professionalism
The CIPMN, established less than two years ago, has grown its membership to nearly 1,000 professionals. This growth reflects the institute’s commitment to raising the standard of project management in Nigeria.
“Our goal is to create thoroughbred project managers,” Mbadiwe said. “This involves adopting innovative training frameworks such as project-based learning, simulated learning, and work-based learning to ensure that licensed project managers have demonstrable experience in project delivery.”
He further revealed the institute’s ambitious target of reaching at least 5,000 licensed members within the next two years.
Collaborations and Standardization
CIPMN has made significant strides in collaboration with government agencies and institutions to standardize project management practices:
Education: The institute worked with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to develop Nigeria’s first-ever core curriculum for a Bachelor of Science degree in Project Management, enabling universities to establish dedicated departments.
Artisans: CIPMN partnered with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to create a project management curriculum tailored for artisans.
National Standards: In collaboration with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), CIPMN is developing Nigeria’s first project management standard, positioning the country as a leader in Africa alongside Cameroon.
Regulating the Sector
Mbadiwe emphasized the institute’s regulatory mandate, urging all institutions and consultancies offering project management training to comply with CIPMN’s licensing requirements.
“According to our establishment Act, you cannot lead or manage projects in Nigeria unless you are licensed by CIPMN. This regulation ensures accountability and professionalism in project management,” he stated.
Looking ahead, CIPMN plans to establish an academy or university dedicated to project management training. The institute also aims to strengthen existing universities by helping them build project management departments.
“The idea is not to create another university but to strengthen the ones we have,” Mbadiwe explained. “With the new curriculum approved by NUC, universities can now establish project management departments and produce skilled graduates.”
As Nigeria grapples with the consequences of failed and abandoned projects, the induction of 500 licensed project managers by CIPMN marks a significant step toward addressing this challenge. By prioritizing certification, standardization, and professional training, the institute aims to create a generation of project managers equipped to deliver value for money and drive national development.
“With certified project managers at the helm, we can begin to harmonize project management practices and see tangible improvements in project execution across the country,” Mbadiwe concluded.
