The Rivers State Branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening human capital development and advancing professional excellence as organisations adapt to rapidly evolving workplace realities.
The institute made the commitment while announcing plans for its 27th Annual State Conference, which will focus on helping organisations build agile and sustainable workplaces amid changing workforce expectations and economic uncertainties.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chairperson of the Rivers State Branch, Catherine Kadri, said the conference would provide a platform for human resource professionals, business leaders, and policymakers to explore strategies for navigating the future of work.
The conference, themed “Work, Workforce and Workplace: Driving Agile and Sustainable Organisations,” will be held in a hybrid format in Port Harcourt.
According to the institute, the gathering is designed to address emerging trends reshaping the workplace while equipping organisations with practical strategies to remain resilient, productive, and competitive in a rapidly changing business environment.
Kadri said the annual conference would promote knowledge-sharing, strategic engagement, and meaningful conversations around workplace transformation.
“The conference is designed to provide professionals and business leaders with insights that will help organisationsadapt to rapid shifts in workforce expectations, workplace culture, and operational sustainability,” the institute said.
The organisers noted that issues such as changing employee expectations, workforce agility, organisational resilience, and sustainable workplace practices have become increasingly important for employers seeking to attract, retain, and develop talent.
The conference is expected to bring together HR practitioners, business executives, entrepreneurs, administrators, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders to discuss solutions to contemporary workplace challenges.
CIPM urged HR professionals and business leaders to participate, noting that this year’s edition has been structured to deliver greater value and practical insights than previous conferences.
The institute disclosed that more than 240 HR professionals attended the 2025 edition, which featured notable speakers, including Adeyemi Ajayi, an elected member of the CIPM Governing Council; Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University; immediate past Chairman of the Rivers State Branch, Godswill Eke; former Vice-President of CIPM, Henry Unuakpor; and Patrick Ekadi of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Virtual sessions for this year’s conference will hold on 8 and 9 July 2026, while the physical event is scheduled for 10 July 2026 at Celebra8 Centre, Port Harcourt.
The institute added that registration remains open and encouraged professionals, corporate organisations, partners, and sponsors within the HR and business ecosystem to participate.
As organisations continue to respond to technological change, shifting employee expectations, and evolving business models, the conference is expected to provide insights into building more agile workplaces while promoting employee development and long-term organisational growth.
