The Registrar General of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, has declared that all certificates issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in Nigeria must be accredited by CIPMN to be recognized in the country.
Mbadiwe stated this in Abuja while upd
ating Nigerians on the strides recorded by the institute under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu. He emphasized that some individuals believe they can break the law due to their connections with government officials, but the CIPMN will not tolerate such actions.
According to Mbadiwe, “It is often easy for some Nigerians and foreign nationals to break the laws governing various aspects of the country, as they believe nothing will happen; they think they know someone high up in the current government who can wield the stick of nepotism to help them evade the law.”
The Registrar General cited specific sections of the CIPMN Act, including Section 8, which requires project management professionals from abroad to register with the institute within 12 months of residing in Nigeria. He also referenced Section 9A, which stipulates that only registered members of CIPMN can head project management in organizations.
Mbadiwe warned PMI Nigeria that its certificates must be accredited by CIPMN, and its training centers must also be accredited. “I will not allow you to undermine the laws of this country,” he stated. “The certificates you issue in Nigeria must be accredited by CIPMN, and the training centers you operate there must also be accredited by CIPMN. This is the law.”
The CIPMN boss emphasized that the institute will enforce the law and pursue those who violate it. “This is the final call I am making to PMI Nigeria and other project management training or consulting organizations in Nigeria: do not break the law. Do not allow your members or staff to continue to break the law. CIPMN will enforce this law on those who violate it; it is an offence to lead any project without the CIPMN License.”
Mbadiwe also commended the Nigerian Police for their professionalism in handling a recent case involving a former CIPMN member who was parading himself as the president of CIPMN. “I thank the Nigerian Police, under the direction of the IGP, for not yielding. The police stood their ground, and the investigation is ongoing.”