The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has urged human resource professionals and business leaders to adopt strategic collaborations as a cornerstone of business sustainability.
The call was made at the 2025 Corporate Members Forum, held on Wednesday in Lagos, with the theme “Driving Business Sustainability Through Strategic Collaborations.”
In his opening remarks, CIPM President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, invoked an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” He explained that the saying reflects the urgency of collaboration in today’s business environment.
“Strategic collaboration is no longer a choice; it is the oxygen of sustainability,” Gobir said. “It is the force that transforms survival into growth. The best way to predict the future is to create it, and in Nigeria, we will not create that future by standing apart but by joining hands, sharing strengths, and building together.”
Gobir highlighted Nigeria’s paradox as one of Africa’s largest economies, yet still grappling with unemployment — estimated at about 6 per cent in urban areas and 4.3 per cent in rural areas. He noted that small businesses, which account for 96 per cent of enterprises and generate 84 per cent of jobs, often collapse within their first five years.
“We have the numbers, but we often lack the networks,” he added. “Sustainability without collaboration is like trying to cook jollof rice without pepper. For businesses to thrive, we must work together.”
Gobir also invited participants to attend CIPM’s 57th International Conference and Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Abuja from 27 to 30 October 2025.
The keynote speaker, Mrs. Lilian Oluchi Somiari, FCIPM, General Manager, Strategy, Organisation and Performance at Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, reinforced the President’s message, stressing that HR plays a critical role in embedding sustainability within organisations.
“Collaboration deepens our roots. When the roots are deep, you don’t fear the storm. For businesses, this means building internal collaboration before seeking external partnerships,” she said.
Somiari outlined the challenges facing Nigerian businesses, including skill gaps, infrastructure deficits, regulatory uncertainty, and insecurity. She urged HR professionals to deliberately foster collaborations that align with long-term corporate sustainability goals.
She further identified technology as a key enabler of modern collaboration. “Technology is at the heart of collaboration today. Cloud platforms now make it possible to work across teams and borders without heavy infrastructure costs,” she said, adding that partnerships could also advance Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also speaking, Mr. Olutayo Olawale, MCIPM, CIPM’s Director of Membership and Market Development, reiterated the Institute’s regulatory authority in Nigeria’s HR sector and emphasised its core values: service, creativity, respect, integrity, professionalism, and teamwork. He noted that corporate members are expected to uphold these values to strengthen the profession and foster meaningful collaborations.
The forum concluded with a renewed call for HR leaders to drive sustainability through shared goals, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships that not only enhance business growth but also contribute to national development.
