The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria has sworn in 78 new members into the profession during its 71st induction ceremony, marking the first time the statutory body has held the event online. The virtual gathering demonstrated CIPM's commitment to innovation, professional standards, and staying relevant in a rapidly changing workplace.
Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, CIPM's president, called the moment historic and symbolic. He said it reflected the Institute's willingness to embrace new ways of working while keeping professional excellence at its core.
"Today is special and memorable because it represents the future we often speak about as HR professionals," Gobir told the gathering. "This is our very first virtual induction ceremony."
He stressed that holding the event online proved CIPM practices what it teaches other organisations. "As HR professionals, we constantly advise organisations to be agile, innovative, and responsive to changing realities," he said.
"At CIPM, we practise what we preach. There was no need to keep HR professionals waiting, so we chose innovation over tradition."
Gobir hailed the inductees as "78 success stories" and explained that their membership signified a pledge to professionalism, ethical conduct, and lifelong learning. "You are receiving much more than a certificate," he told them.
"You are receiving professional recognition, credibility, a badge of trust, and greater responsibility."
He encouraged the new members to display their CIPM credentials with honour and to engage actively in the Institute's activities across branches, chapters, and national levels. "Every time you append ACIPM, MCIPM, or FCIPM to your name, you are making a statement that you belong to a profession," Gobir noted.
Collins Edebiri, the keynote speaker, challenged HR professionals to step beyond routine administrative work and become architects of organisational transformation. Speaking on the theme "Raising the Bar of Professional Standards: HR as a Steward of Transformation," he outlined how the profession has shifted from the sidelines to the boardroom.
Modern HR professionals must wield strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, data-driven analysis, coaching skills, creativity, and ethical judgment, Edebiri said. These competencies matter more than ever in today's volatile business landscape.
He added that HR practitioners have moved far beyond policy guardianship. "They are now architects of organisational success responsible for talent development, culture building, managing change, nurturing leaders, and planning the workforce," the speaker noted.
Chidinma Justina Obiejesi, CIPM's vice president, reminded the new inductees that they were joining at a pivotal moment when their strategic contributions will shape their organisations' futures.
