The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has inducted 78 new members into the human resources profession during its 71st Induction Ceremony, marking the Institute’s first-ever virtual induction and reaffirming its commitment to innovation, professional excellence, and the effective regulation of HR practice in Nigeria.
Speaking during the virtual ceremony, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, said the online induction reflects the Institute’s determination to embrace innovation while upholding the highest professional standards. He explained that the decision to hold the ceremony virtually was intended to ensure that qualified HR professionals were inducted without unnecessary delays, demonstrating the same agility and adaptability the Institute encourages organisations to embrace.
Describing the occasion as a landmark moment in the Institute’s history, Gobir said the ceremony symbolised the future of the HR profession.
“Today is special. It is historic, memorable, and symbolic because it represents the future we often speak about as HR professionals. This is our very first virtual induction ceremony,” he said.
Gobir described the 78 inductees as “78 success stories”, noting that their admission into the Institute signifies a commitment to professionalism, ethical conduct, and continuous learning.
He stressed that membership of CIPM extends far beyond the award of a professional certificate, conferring credibility, recognition, and an enduring obligation to uphold the values of the profession.
“You are receiving much more than a certificate. You are receiving professional recognition, credibility, a badge of trust, and greater responsibility. Every time you append ACIPM, MCIPM, or FCIPM to your name, you are making a statement that you belong to a profession,” he said.
Gobir encouraged the newly inducted members to wear their professional designations with pride and integrity while actively participating in the Institute’s activities at the branch, chapter, and national levels.
Delivering the keynote address, Reverend Dr. Collins Edebiri challenged HR professionals to move beyond traditional administrative responsibilities and position themselves as strategic partners driving organisational growth and transformation.
Speaking on the theme, “Raising the Bar of Professional Standards: HR as a Steward of Transformation,” Dr. Edebiri said the profession has evolved into a strategic business function responsible for shaping organisational culture, developing talent, strengthening employee engagement, and driving sustainable organisational performance.
He emphasised that HR professionals must continually strengthen competencies such as strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, data-driven decision-making, coaching, innovation, and ethical leadership to remain relevant in today’s rapidly evolving world of work.
According to Dr. Edebiri, HR practitioners are no longer merely custodians of workplace policies but architects of organisational success, entrusted with responsibilities including talent development, leadership development, organisational change, workforce planning, and the cultivation of high-performing workplace cultures.
In her closing remarks, the Vice President of CIPM, Chidinma Justina Obiejesi, FCIPM, reminded the newly inducted members that they were entering the profession at a defining moment, when organisations require strategic HR leadership more than ever.
Obiejesi urged them to uphold the values of the Institute, maintain the highest professional standards, and serve as stewards of transformation within their respective organisations.
The 71st Induction Ceremony marked a significant milestone in CIPM’s history as its first virtual induction, reinforcing the Institute’s commitment to innovation, professionalism, and excellence while equipping HR practitioners with the competencies required to lead people and organisations in an increasingly dynamic and evolving world of work.
