The Federal Government has announced a major reform to professionalise Human Resource (HR) management in the civil service, reaffirming that the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) remains the sole body legally empowered to certify HR professionals in the country.
The announcement was made during a sensitisation workshop held at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) in Abuja, where the Head of Service, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, unveiled The HR Initiative—a new reform designed to transform people management within the public sector.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Walson-Jack described HR as “the nervous system of any effective organisation”, emphasising the need to reposition the profession in line with global best practices. She explained that, under the new framework, officers aspiring to director-level positions in the civil service must possess a recognised professional HR certification.
The Head of Service reaffirmed that CIPM remains the only statutory body authorised by law to professionalise and certify HR practice in Nigeria. “This reform will align our civil service with international standards and ensure that only qualified HR professionals occupy critical people management positions,” she said.
In his remarks, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM,fnli, described the initiative as “a defining moment for Nigeria’s public sector”. He assured that the Institute stands ready to support the government in driving the reform agenda.
“CIPM is proud to play a pivotal role in shaping a new era of professionalism, competence, and accountability in the Federal Civil Service,” Gobir said. “This reinforces our mandate to develop ethical and world-class HR practitioners who deliver sustainable performance.”
The HR Initiative will introduce a national HR competency framework, accreditation by CIPM and international partners, and a review of training curricula in Management Development Institutes. It also mandates that all HR officers commence certification within 12 months, with preference given to certified professionals starting from January 2026.
The reform aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25), which seeks to make HR a specialised professional function rather than a general administrative role.
With this development, CIPM’s position as the apex regulatory body for HR practice in Nigeria has been further reinforced, as both the Institute and the OHCSF commit to building a modern, citizen-focused, and globally competitive civil service.
