By Felix Khanoba
The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has issued a stern final notice to the Project Management Institute (PMI) Nigeria and other project management training and consultancy firms, urging them to comply with licencing and accreditation requirements or risk legal enforcement.
Delivering the warning at a press briefing in Abuja titled “A Call to Accreditation and Compliance with the CIPMN Establishment Act,” CIPMN Registrar General and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, stressed that any individual practicing project management in Nigeria must hold certification from the institute, regardless of qualifications from other bodies.
“This is the final call I am making to PMI Nigeria and other project management training or consulting organisations in Nigeria, do not break the law,” Mbadiwe declared.
“We will utilise the instruments available to us to seal off and pursue those who break these laws, establishing CIPMN. Do not allow your members or staff to continue to break the law. CIPMN will enforce this law on those who violate it; it is an offence to lead any project without the CIPMN License.”
He added, “Nigeria is not a lawless country; our National Assembly exists for a reason, the law enforcement agencies and our judicial system exist for a reason, and our presidency exists for a reason.”
Mbadiwe cited several sections of the CIPMN Establishment Act to justify the institute’s regulatory mandate.
According to him, Section 15(1a) of the Act empowers the Council to approve training courses and qualifications relevant to project management, provided they equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to be admitted into the institute.
Other provisions highlighted include: Section 21(1), which permits the council to make rules for the training and supervision of registered members and restricts foreign-trained individuals from practicing without appropriate local certification.
Section 8, mandating foreign project management professionals residing in Nigeria to register with the institute within 12 months of the Act’s commencement.
Section 9A, which prohibits the appointment of anyone to lead project management functions in any organisation unless duly registered and qualified by the institute.
Section 7, requiring the council to periodically publish acceptable qualifications for registration in the Federal Government Gazette.
Section 19(2), which classifies it as an offence for unregistered individuals to present themselves as certified project managers or benefit from such misrepresentation.
Section 20(1), mandating the publication of all regulations in the Federal Government Gazette and notifying the Ministry of Commerce in advance.
Mbadiwe reiterated that the CIPMN’s actions are aligned with national laws and reflect the current administration’s commitment to regulatory compliance.
He said, “Nigeria is a country with laws, and in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, CIPMN will carry out its legally mandated duties to regulate the project management profession for the benefit of the country, its laws and the people.”
