The 58th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE) of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has ended in Abuja with a call on HR professionals to translate what they learned at the four-day conference into action, measurable value and lasting impact in their organisations.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, said the end of the conference marked the beginning of the work required to apply the knowledge gained in workplaces and institutions. The conference, held under the theme “Repositioning for Value and Impact,” brought together over 4,000 physical delegates and more than 1,000 virtual delegates from Nigeria and beyond.
“We came, we learned, we networked, and we connected,” Gobir said, reflecting on the conversations and engagements that took place during the conference.
He said the real work would begin when delegates returned to their organisations.
“The real conference begins when we return to our boardrooms, leadership teams and organisations. What we have learned here must be translated into action, measurable value and lasting impact,” he charged.
According to Gobir, the conference gave delegates more than knowledge, while creating opportunities for professional connections and collaboration.
“This conference has given us knowledge and memories to take home. The challenge before us now is to ensure that the lessons learned become catalysts for transformation in our workplaces and institutions,” he said.
The CIPM President also appreciated participants, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and partners for their contributions to the success of the conference.
“There is no conference without the people, and you all brought this one to life. We are grateful to every delegate who travelled from different parts of Nigeria and the world in search of knowledge, collaboration and professional growth,” he added.
During the conference, delegates discussed issues shaping the future of people management, including human-centred leadership, public sector transformation, organisational performance, governance, workforce productivity, artificial intelligence, human capability, HR standards, career development and the evolving expectations of business leaders from the HR profession.
A major highlight of the conference was the announcement of CIPM’s growing international recognition and its efforts to advance global standards in people management.
Gobir said the Institute continues to deepen its global footprint through mutual recognition and strategic partnerships with leading professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA).
He described the partnerships as a testament to the growing influence of Nigerian HR professionals on the global stage and CIPM’s commitment to ensuring that its members remain globally competitive.
In another significant announcement, Gobir revealed that the Third African Human Resource Summit will be held alongside the 59th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE 2027) next year.
He said the development is expected to strengthen collaboration among HR practitioners across the continent and consolidate Africa’s voice in the global people management ecosystem.
The conference featured renowned speakers, business executives, public sector leaders and HR thought leaders who challenged participants to rethink conventional approaches to people management and embrace innovation, data-driven decision-making and value creation.
Many delegates described the conference as one of the most impactful editions in recent years, citing the quality of speakers, relevance of the sessions and networking opportunities that brought professionals from different industries and countries together.
As delegates departed Abuja with fresh insights, new partnerships and renewed inspiration, the closing message remained that the success of the conference would not be measured by the number of sessions held or contacts exchanged, but by the value created and impact delivered in workplaces, organisations and communities.
With the conclusion of the 58th International Conference and Exhibition, CIPM has once again reinforced its position as the leading voice of people management in Africa, leaving participants with a renewed commitment to reposition themselves and their organisations for greater value, relevance and impact in an increasingly dynamic world of work.
