The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria, CIPMN, has said it is collaborating closely with the Bureau of Public Procurement to ensure that only licenced project managers can bid for and manage government contracts.
Speaking at the end of a 3-Day Training Programme and Induction organized by the Institute in Abuja, on Thursday, the Registrar-General of CIPMN, Mr Henry Mbadiwe, vowed that no agency or even the supervisory ministry can ignore this law.
Mbadiwe said the move is part of efforts to enforce professional standards by ensuring that only duly licenced project managers are eligible to bid for and execute government contracts.
He stressed that the law mandating project manager licensure could no longer be disregarded by any government agency or supervising ministry.
Mbadiwe emphasized the critical need for synergy among sectors to improve compliance and reduce the incidence of failed or abandoned projects in the country.
As part of a broader reform agenda, the Institute also launched a fully digital platform for membership registration and certificate verification.
According to him, the new system completely replaces the manual process and ensures all certificates and licences issued by CIPMN are digitally authenticated and traceable via QR codes.
“Once a project manager presents a certificate or licence, it can be verified on the spot using a smartphone. The system searches the CIPMN database and confirms the authenticity of the presented credentials,” he said.
He added that the digital overhaul is aligned with global best practices and adheres to Nigeria’s data protection regulations.
“None of the data displayed during verification breaches any legal framework. Its a secure and transparent process that will foster public confidence,” he said.
Mbadiwe said project management is central to national development and warned that unlicensed practitioners would face legal sanctions.
He stated that any individual or organisation delivering projects without CIPMN certification will be sanctioned, adding that the institute is ready to pursue court orders to halt non-compliant projects.
“We are taking more decisive steps. This year, we will begin visiting non-compliant organisations. After giving warnings, we will seek court orders to shut down sites or stop project execution. The law is clear, you must be licenced to deliver projects in Nigeria,” he said
The CIPMN boss drew parallels between the CIPMN and professional regulators like the Medical and Dental Council or the Nigerian Bar Association, insisting that project management must now be treated with equal professional regard.
He further noted that already, several institutions, including Shell, NLNG, Lagos Business School, and various MDAs such as PENCOM, ITF, SON, and the Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs, are complying with CIPMN’s regulatory framework.
Also speaking, CIPMN President and Council Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Afolayan, reiterated the Institute’s commitment to building a disciplined workforce of certified professionals capable of managing projects with competence and integrity.
“We are creating an army of trained project managers who will deliver results without compromising quality,” he said.
Newly inducted members shared positive feedback, with Mr. Akins Kinsley describing the training as transformative, and Mr. Idehai Frederick noting that the knowledge gained would enhance his work in journalism and public relations.
