CIPMN: Chancellor General reveals what Nigerians need to do for industrial transformation and national growth – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

The Registrar General and Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, has called for the standardization and professionalisation of project management across all sectors to accelerate industrial transformation, strengthen human capital development and promote sustainable national growth.

Mbadiwe made the call at the National Industrial Manpower Summit 2026, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the theme “Unlocking Nigeria’s Human Capital for Industrial Transformation: Build Skills, Drive Innovation and Create Prosperity”.

He said Nigeria’s economic development and industrial expansion depend largely on effective project delivery, a competent workforce and strict adherence to recognized professional standards.

According to him, project management goes beyond routine administrative functions, serving as a fundamental basis for infrastructure development, industrial expansion and successful implementation of innovative ideas.

The CIPMN CEO stressed that achieving significant industrial transformation and sustainable prosperity requires deliberate investments in professional competence, workforce development and the enforcement of standards across the economy.

“When project delivery is anchored in standardized practices, transparency and accountability, it will eliminate wasted resources, reduce project abandonment and maximize the return on investments in human capital,” he said.

Mbadiwe argued that adopting professional project management practices would help public and private sector organizations achieve better results from investments, particularly in infrastructure, manufacturing and other critical sectors of the economy.

He noted that project failures, wasted resources and abandoned initiatives could undermine national development efforts, underscoring the need for trained professionals to oversee projects from planning and implementation to monitoring and evaluation.

The Chancellor General also highlighted the CIPMN’s statutory mandate, describing it as an agency of the federal government under the supervision of the federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

He said the institute was established by the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria Act No. 3 of 2018, published in Gazette n. 15, Volume 105, and signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, the institute’s mandate includes licensing and certification, regulation and supervision, professional training and standardization, all aimed at promoting competence and ethical conduct among project management professionals.

He explained that these responsibilities were designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to manage projects effectively, while ensuring that project implementation is in line with established standards and best practices.

Mbadiwe reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development aspirations through the professionalisation of project management.

He said CIPMN remains guided by its vision of building a more sustainable future for the country through professional project management, adding that it will continue to work with government institutions, private sector organizations and educational institutions to strengthen project delivery nationwide.

The Registrar General urged project managers, corporate organizations and public sector institutions to align their operations with applicable statutory requirements and professional guidelines established by the institution.

He stressed that effective project management is essential to ensure that investments in national development translate into measurable economic and social benefits for Nigerians.

Mbadiwe also stressed that professional expertise, institutional collaboration and accountability are indispensable to improve resource utilization, reduce project failures and ensure development initiatives achieve their intended goals.

He called for greater cooperation between stakeholders to create a workforce capable of responding to the needs of a changing industrial environment, stressing that human capital development and innovation must be supported by effective project execution.

The institute, he said, will support his efforts to promote professional standards and responsible project delivery as part of broader measures to support industrial growth and national prosperity.