The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has launched a bold push for digital transformation in project management, calling on stakeholders to embrace technology-driven strategies for effective project delivery.
The registrar of CIPMN, Henry Mbadiwe, made this call during an ongoing three-day induction and training programme for new members organised by the Institute in Abuja. The event, themed: “The Digital Project Manager,” focused on equipping professionals with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.
Addressing the gathering, Mbadiwe disclosed that over 200 professionals had been inducted into the institute’s membership, highlighting CIPMN’s commitment to building a new generation of 21st-century project managers.
He emphasised the importance of utilising technology and advanced knowledge to enhance project delivery across different sectors.
“We have Nigerians that are intelligent enough to do what other companies overseas are doing. When you travel to the UK, America, and Canada, you see Nigerians leading projects; so we know how to do it,” Mbadiwe stated, underscoring the potential of Nigerian professionals to lead major projects both locally and internationally.
Mbadiwe explained that CIPMN aims to develop human capital within Nigeria by teaching project managers how to ensure proper project delivery and regulate the sector to prevent unqualified individuals from taking on critical roles. “What CIPMN is aiming to do is to build that human capital in Nigeria, to teach us how to ensure that projects are delivered properly in this country and regulate the sector to ensure that quacks do not go in there and start delivering projects in this country,” he added.
He further noted that Nigerian law mandates that only licensed CIPMN members can deliver projects or lead project management activities in the country. “We must make sure that the professionals in this country are licensed, regulated, and watched so that we can hold somebody responsible when something goes wrong,” Mbadiwe emphasised.
President of CIPMN, Prince Akin Babalola, also addressed the event, expressing concern over the high cost of project failures and abandonment to Nigeria’s development. “The menace of abandoned projects in Nigeria is unfortunate. It is something that we are looking critically at. It’s a major concern for us. It’s actually the bane of our development because projects that are not delivered have cost Nigeria a lot,” Babalola remarked.
He explained that the three-day ongoing event was intended to induct new members and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the digital age of project management. “In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving digital landscape, the role of a project manager has undergone a profound transformation. The project manager of today must possess a unique blend of traditional project management expertise and a deep understanding of digital technologies, data analytics, and agile methodologies,” Babalola noted.
Encouraging the participants, Babalola urged them to embrace the training as an opportunity for growth and professional development.
He also stressed the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the digital era. “Everything has gone digital, and if we do not equip our members to update their knowledge and their skills, they would be left behind,” Babalola emphasised, reinforcing the importance of staying current in the rapidly evolving field of project management.