The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Lekki–Ajah–Badore (LAB) Chapter, on Wednesday held its November Knowledge Sharing Session (KSS) at the headquarters of Strategic Outsourcing Limited in Lagos, focusing on the theme, “Leading the HR Function with Impact.”
The Chairman of the CIPM Lekki–Ajah–Badore (LAB) Chapter, Mr. Oluwapelumi Akinola, ACIPM, in his opening remarks, thanked members for their strong turnout at the 2025 CIPM International Conference and Exhibition held in Abuja. He announced that the November Knowledge Sharing Session would serve as the Chapter’s final physical gathering for the year. He also expressed deep appreciation to the host, Strategic Outsourcing Limited, for its consistent support and commitment to the Chapter’s initiatives.
The session convened senior HR professionals, including the guest speaker, Mr. Adeniyi Nehemiah Aromolaran, FCIPM, Executive Director, Enterprise Services Directorate at the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC). He emphasised that the core of human resource management is the ability to manage stakeholder expectations and align people-management strategies with organisational goals.
Speaking during the session, Mr. Aromolaran said every aspect of HR—from recruitment and performance management to benefits administration—centres on managing expectations.
“Every person you recruit has expectations. Even the employer has expectations. So, when you’re hiring, you must align both sides or risk losing value,” he said.
He likened the HR function to “a river with several tributaries,” describing it as a continuous flow of activities that sustain organisational life. To remain relevant in the evolving world of work, he said HR leaders must develop foresight, critical thinking, and a strategic mindset.
“HR is not just administration. It is a strategic role. You cannot lead effectively if you do not understand numbers or evaluate yourself before evaluating others,” he added.
Also speaking, Mrs. Eunice Oborevwori, MCIPM, General Secretary of the CIPM LAB Chapter, urged practitioners to remain humble and empathetic.
“As HR professionals, we sometimes forget that we are also employees. Drop that mindset of being untouchable,” she said.
She warned that HR leaders who lose sight of their humanity risk becoming disconnected from their workforce. “When employees come to you, remember you are human too,” she advised.
During the panel session, Mrs. Boumogha Sagay, MCIPM, Head of HR at Scentified by Cascades Luxury, said true impact in HR begins with a person’s mindset, attitude, and humility.
“HR is a service role. You are there to serve people and the organisation. Impact comes when you lead with humility, communicate respectfully, and treat everyone—from executives to security guards—with value,” she said.
She stressed that empathetic communication builds trust and fosters workplaces where employees feel respected.
Adding his perspective, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, FCIPM, Managing Director of Strategic Outsourcing Limited, said HR impact begins with understanding the mission of the organisation.
“You cannot drive what you do not understand,” he stated.
Dr. Ogunlowo urged HR practitioners to align their personal values with organisational purpose.
“If you do not know the mission of your organisation, you cannot create impact. As HR, your role is to make sure every employee lives that mission daily,” he added.
The November Knowledge Sharing Session provided a platform for professionals to exchange insights on leadership, communication, and purpose-driven HR practice. Participants agreed that, to lead with impact, HR professionals must blend strategy, empathy, and authenticity to ensure that both people and organisational objectives flourish in harmony.
