The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has charged Human Resource (HR) professionals to see themselves as “stewards of transformation” in their organisations and communities.
This call was made during the Institute’s 66th Specialised Induction Ceremony, where administrators and HR staff of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) were formally inducted. The event, themed “Raising the Bar of Professional Standards: HR as a Steward of Transformation”, underscored the critical role of HR in driving excellence and sustainable development across sectors.
The ceremony saw the induction of six Full Members and seventy-seven Associate Members into the Institute.
In his welcome address, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, urged the new inductees to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards. He described the lapel pins and certificates awarded as symbols of both professional achievement and moral responsibility.
“Today, you are crossing from potential to professional,” Gobir said. “HR is not about pushing files; it is about stewarding destinies, igniting purpose, and transforming organisations. The true measure of HR is not in the policies you write, but in the lives you transform.”
He also highlighted the need for HR professionals to prepare for the future of work, referencing World Economic Forum projections that 92 million jobs may be displaced by automation by 2030, even as 170 million new roles emerge. According to him, HR professionals must lead the transition by preparing people and organisations for such change.
Delivering the keynote address, Pastor (Dr.) Sabastine Okeke, FCIPM, Coordinator of Personnel Affairs at RCCG, traced the evolution of professional bodies and stressed the importance of maintaining high standards. He explained that professional standards underpin credibility, trust and quality, leading to improved performance and motivation.
Dr Okeke further noted that HR practitioners must go beyond managing employment matters to become “stewards of the entire work experience.” He identified essential competencies for modern HR leaders—business acumen, data literacy, effective communication, and change management expertise—emphasising that mastering these areas is key to driving transformation.
“Raising the bar is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of reflection, recalibration, and re-creation,” he said. “The HR professional of today must not only align organisational culture with business goals but also ensure that technology, ethics and humanity work hand in hand for sustainable impact.”
Also speaking, Pastor Vincent Adegborioye, FCIPM, Chairman of the Conflict Resolution and Mediation Committee, echoed the President’s message. “When spirituality merges with structure, the result will be outstanding,” he said, urging inductees to leverage RCCG’s organisational framework while upholding CIPM’s professional standards.
The inductees were encouraged to participate actively in the RCCG Chapter and Ogun State Branch of the Institute, as well as to utilise the CIPM HR Leadership Academy to enhance their skills. They were also invited to attend the 57th International Conference and Exhibition of the Institute, scheduled for 27–30 October 2025 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
With this induction, the CIPM reaffirmed its commitment to advancing HR practice across all sectors of the economy through global best practices, ethical strengthening, and strategic leadership development — positioning HR management as a cornerstone of national development.
