The Federal Government has reaffirmed the statutory authority of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) as the foremost regulatory body for the Human Resource profession in Nigeria, following the release of a new circular on the professionalisation of Human Resource practice across the Federal Public Service.
The circular, issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) with Ref. No. HCSF/3065/Vol.1/230 and dated May 14, 2026, establishes mandatory professional certification requirements for officers occupying Human Resource roles within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
According to the circular signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, MCIPM, the policy forms part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism, competence, ethical standards, and service delivery within the Federal Civil Service.
The circular specifically recognises certifications obtained from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) alongside a limited number of globally recognised HR professional bodies, thereby reinforcing CIPM’s position as Nigeria’s chartered and legally empowered institution for the regulation and advancement of Human Resource Management practice.
Under the new directive, officers deployed to Human Resource functions in the Federal Public Service are required to possess approved HR certifications. A twelve-month moratorium has been granted to affected officers to obtain the requisite certification, after which only certified professionals will be eligible for deployment into designated HR roles across the Service.
Speaking on the development, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, commended the Federal Government for taking a bold and decisive step towards institutionalising professionalism within the public sector.
“This circular is a landmark policy directive that aligns Nigeria’s public service with global best practices in Human Resource Management. As the Chartered Institute statutorily empowered to regulate HR practice in Nigeria, CIPM welcomes this reform and reiterates that professional certification and ethical compliance are non-negotiable requirements for effective people management in any organisation.”
Mallam Gobir further emphasised that the Institute’s establishing law positions CIPM as the authoritative body responsible for setting standards, certifying practitioners, and ensuring discipline within the HR profession in Nigeria.
“While the circular recognises certain international certifications, it is important to reiterate that within Nigeria, CIPM remains the only Institute with the legal mandate to regulate the practice of Human Resource Management. All practitioners operating within Nigeria are expected to align with CIPM’s regulatory framework.”
The policy will significantly enhance service delivery, promote meritocracy, and ensure that HR roles are occupied by competent professionals equipped with the requisite knowledge and ethical grounding to manage Nigeria’s public workforce.
The Institute also called on all HR practitioners, particularly those in the public sector, to take advantage of the transition window to regularise their professional status and obtain CIPM certification.
As Nigeria continues its public sector reform journey, the professionalisation of HR practice represents a critical pillar in building a more efficient, accountable, and results-driven civil service, one anchored on globally benchmarked standards and strengthened by local regulatory oversight led by CIPM.
