The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has called on organisations across the public and private sectors to rethink their workforce strategies and place people at the centre of business growth as they navigate economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and evolving workplace expectations.
The call was made by President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, ahead of the Institute’s 58th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE 2026), scheduled to take place from Monday, 21 September to Thursday, 24 September 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Gobir said organisations must reposition their workforces to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
According to Gobir, organisations worldwide are confronting significant challenges, including economic uncertainty, talent shortages, digital transformation, and changing employee expectations. He said these developments require business leaders to rethink how they create and sustain value.
“The world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Organisations today are operating in an environment characterised by rapid technological advancement, shifting workforce demographics, changing stakeholder expectations, and increasing pressure to deliver measurable results. To thrive in this environment, leaders must rethink how they attract, develop, engage, and retain talent while ensuring their organisations remain agile and future-ready,” he said.
Gobir noted that human resource management has evolved beyond administrative functions to become a strategic driver of organisational performance, productivity, innovation, and sustainability.
He explained that the theme of the 58th International Conference and Exhibition, Repositioning for Value and Impact, reflects the urgent need for organisations and their leaders to reassess existing structures, strengthen workforce capability, and align people strategies with broader business objectives.
“The future belongs to organisations that can effectively align people, technology, culture, and strategy to create sustainable value. Repositioning for value and impact is no longer a choice; it is a business imperative. Organisations that fail to adapt risk losing relevance and competitiveness in an increasingly dynamic global economy,” Gobir said.
He further stated that the conference will provide a strategic platform for HR professionals, business leaders, policymakers, academics, and industry experts to explore practical solutions to contemporary workplace challenges and emerging opportunities.
According to him, the conference is designed to equip delegates with actionable insights, innovative frameworks, and forward-looking strategies to help organisations navigate complexity and achieve long-term success.
CIPM maintained that, as organisations continue to navigate economic uncertainty and workplace disruption, investing in people and adopting strategic workforce practices remain fundamental to achieving sustainable growth and long-term organisational success.
The annual International Conference and Exhibition is CIPM’s flagship event and Africa’s largest gathering of HR professionals and business leaders. It attracts thousands of delegates from across Africa and beyond for knowledge exchange, professional development, policy dialogue, and business networking.
