Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has described the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) as a critical partner in building Nigeria’s workforce, citing its contributions to human resource management and professional development.
The governor made the remarks when he received a CIPM delegation led by its President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ahmed Ladan Gobir, at the State House, Marina, Lagos. During the visit, Sanwo-Olu was formally decorated as a Fellow of the institute following the conferment of the honour at CIPM’s 58th International Conference and Exhibition.
Speaking during the visit, Sanwo-Olu commended CIPM for its contributions to professional development in Nigeria and praised the successful hosting of its 58th International Conference and Exhibition, noting that the annual event provides a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building and professional development for public and private sector employees.
The governor pledged to ensure that Lagos State officials continue participating in future CIPM conferences beyond his tenure. He said he would include the commitment in his handover note to the next administration to promote continuity in the state’s human capital development efforts.
Sanwo-Olu also expressed satisfaction with the growing number of Lagos State public servants embracing CIPM membership and professional development opportunities, describing human capital development as a central pillar of his administration’s development agenda.
He commended the Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, for promoting professionalism and encouraging public servants to continuously develop their skills and competencies through recognised professional institutions such as CIPM.
Reflecting on his conferment as a Fellow of the institute, Sanwo-Olu praised CIPM’s membership and Fellowship process, noting that the honour carries credibility because it is earned on merit.
“The process shows that CIPM does not just confer Fellowship on anyone, but on those who truly deserve it,” he said.
Earlier, Gobir congratulated Sanwo-Olu on the Fellowship honour and commended his support for human capital development and the advancement of the human resource profession.
Gobir explained that the Fellowship award recognises distinguished professionals and leaders who have met the institute’s prescribed professional and leadership requirements.
The CIPM president also commended the governor for facilitating the participation of more than 500 Lagos State civil servants at the institute’s 58th International Conference and Exhibition, noting that Lagos State recorded the largest delegation at the event.
He described the participation as evidence of the state’s commitment to workforce development and continuous learning.
According to Gobir, Lagos State demonstrates how deliberate investment in people can strengthen institutions and improve public sector performance. He also acknowledged the contributions of the state’s civil service leadership to promoting professionalism and lifelong learning.
The visit highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between Lagos State and CIPM in strengthening workforce capacity, promoting professional excellence and advancing human capital development as drivers of economic growth and effective governance.
