In Nigeria’s evolving world of work, breaking into Human Resources often feels unclear, with many aspiring professionals told to rely solely on certifications without real experience. But according to HR professional Felix Bissong, widely known as The GenZHR, that approach is deeply flawed.
In an exclusive interview with The HR Anchor, Bissong announced the launch of TalentFactory, a new HR training academy aimed at addressing gaps in Nigeria’s human resources industry by focusing on practical experience, mentorship, and job placement rather than certifications alone. He said the initiative, was born out of years of observing how difficult it is for young Nigerians to break into HR due to a lack of structured pathways. He explained that the programme combines 12 weeks of intensive training with hands-on internships in partner organisations, creating a direct link between learning and real workplace experience.
Bissong said TalentFactory was inspired by his personal journey and repeated questions from people seeking to enter or transition into HR without clear direction. He said many are often advised to rely solely on certifications such as CIPM, a practice he described as misleading.
“HR is experience. You have to experience it. Yes, you can get certifications here and there, but if you don’t have that experience, you are not HR,” he said.
He added that overreliance on certifications has created misconceptions in the industry, with individuals from other fields presenting themselves as HR practitioners based only on qualifications.
“I’ve seen people in admin or project management roles say they are HR just because they have CIPM. That is very misleading,” he said.
Bissong, who said he has spent about seven years in the HR field, said TalentFactory has been in development for about two years. He said the goal is to build a structured pipeline for entry-level professionals, career switchers, and aspiring HR practitioners.
He said the programme will run for 12 weeks, combining online learning with one physical class per month in Lagos, and will be delivered by senior HR professionals including Chief HR Officers, HR Directors, and Heads of HR.
“We want people to learn from actual HR professionals—people who are doing the job,” he said.
Bissong said a key feature of the programme is guaranteed internship placement after training, which he described as the major distinction from traditional certification routes. Participants will also be paired with mentors for continued guidance.
He said TalentFactory will introduce multiple tracks, including entry-level training, mentorship for experienced professionals, and a future marketplace connecting companies with trained HR talent.
He said the broader goal is to create a structured HR pipeline in Nigeria.
“I think the reason most Nigerian companies have terrible HR is not because good HR people don’t exist. It’s because there’s no structured way to produce them—no pipeline, no pathway, no standard,” he said.
Bissong said the initiative is not intended to compete with certification bodies such as CIPM, but to serve as a foundation for practical experience before formal certification.
He said the programme will run on a hybrid model and is set to launch on April 20, 2026 with initial classes delivered via Zoom while a learning management system is developed. He added that efforts are ongoing to keep the programme affordable, with installment payment options to ease financial pressure on participants.
More details about the programme are available on the official website: https://tf.thegenzhr.com/
“We are not just giving certificates. We are building standards, pipelines and pathways,” he said.
“We are not just teaching HR. We are showing people how to implement HR,” he added.
