The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) on Thursday inducted 141 new members from the public service at its 65th Specialised Induction Ceremony, held at Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos.
Themed “Resilient People, Responsive Service: Charting the Future of HR in the Public Service”, the event underscored the pivotal role of human resource management in transforming Nigeria’s public sector.
Representing the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr.Shuaheeb Bode Agoro, the Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Commission, Mrs. Abosede George, described the state’s partnership with CIPM as a journey that began in 2016. She said the initiative was aimed at professionalising HR within the state’s civil service by ensuring officers were certified and equipped to meet modern administrative challenges.
“Without HR, other factors of production remain ineffective. HR is the way to go,” she declared, urging officers to leave the service better than they met it.
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, reminded the inductees that their admission was “not just ceremonial but a coronation of potential.” Drawing on his 36 years of membership, Gobir emphasised that HR professionals must be catalysts for change by ensuring that the right people are matched with the right roles.
“Do not just manage people—ignite their potential. Public service is not just about policies; it is about people,” he stated.
Also addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Boladele Aderemi Dapo-Thomas, stressed the importance of professionalism, integrity, and competence in HR practice. She noted that the Commission’s mission to provide and motivate qualified workers would only succeed if inductees diligently upheld their responsibilities.
“If you do not do your jobs properly, it will be very difficult to provide and sustain the workforce of the state,” she cautioned, pledging continued collaboration with CIPM.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Mrs. Bibilomo Olayide Olushekun, Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, described the ceremony as a turning point for HR in the public sector. She highlighted the need for HR professionals to adapt to digital disruption, automation, and the challenges of managing a multi-generational workforce.
According to her, the dominance of officers aged 41 to 60 within the service affects agility and speed in delivery. She therefore called on HR managers to embrace technology, adopt data-driven policies, and prepare a younger, skilled workforce.
Olushekun defined resilience as the ability to recover and grow from setbacks, and responsiveness as anticipating needs and exceeding expectations. She urged inductees to commit to continuous learning, emotional intelligence, and accountability.
“Resilient HR professionals will enable the public service to manage transitions and meet public expectations. Public service is not just about compliance—it is about empowering people to thrive,” she said.
She further emphasised that recruitment, training, and workforce planning must be anchored on data analysis to guarantee productivity and transparency.
“The public service is the stage on which national destinies are realised. You, the HR professionals, are the scriptwriters of that future,” she added.
The ceremony concluded with a formal charge to the new members to wear their CIPM certificates and licences with pride, as symbols of integrity and professional status. They were also encouraged to participate actively in the Alausa Chapter of CIPM by attending meetings, sharing knowledge, and contributing financially to sustain the Institute’s growth and impact in Lagos State.
