CIPMN Begins 3-month Countdown To Sanction Unlicensed Project Managers

The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has announced a three-month countdown ahead of enforcement actions against unlicensed project managers, signalling a nationwide push to standardise project delivery and reduce waste.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Conference and Sixth Induction Ceremony of the CIPMN in Abuja, its Registrar-General, Mr Henry Mbadiwe, said the enforcement unit will be fully operational within two to three months.

Its mandate is to ensure all project managers comply with licensing requirements under Nigeria’s new project management law.

“The law establishing project management regulations in Nigeria is clear: to manage projects in this country, you must be licensed.

“As long as there is a project to be delivered, a licensed project manager must be at the head of that delivery,” Mbadiwe said.

Mbadiwe said the enforcement unit will operate across all sectors, targeting companies and institutions that perform project management functions without licensed personnel. He added that nationwide audits, inspections of ongoing projects, and verification of licenses will be conducted to ensure full compliance with the law.

Mbadiwe stressed that the law applies to everyone including engineers, architects, IT professionals, or holders of foreign certifications such as PMI or APM.

“Anything that has a beginning and an end in this country must be led by a licensed project manager,” he said.

Mbadiwe cited the economic rationale for the crackdown, noting that Nigeria loses approximately $4 billion annually to corrective and repeat works caused by poor project oversight.

“Unlicensed and unregulated project management has contributed to massive inefficiencies. With licensed project managers, projects will be delivered on time, within budget, and with less waste,” he said.

He added that the enforcement unit will also supervise CIPMN’s accreditation of project management programmes at universities, polytechnics, and professional institutions, ensuring practitioners are trained to global standards.

Also, Mbadiwe said foreign-certified project managers will be required to register with the regulator before practising in Nigeria.

“The next two to three months are critical. We want everyone to understand their obligations, align with the law, and prepare for full compliance once the enforcement unit begins operations,” Mbadiwe said.

For his part, CIPMN president Emmanuel Afolayan, reiterated the Council’s commitment to the institute’s mandate. “Our mandate is clear, and by the grace of God, we will adhere to it and do everything possible to ensure our country is a better place for all its citizens,” he said.

He emphasised that only licensed project managers should lead projects, regardless of professional background or foreign certification.

Mbadiwe also added that the operationalisation of the enforcement unit is expected to mark a turning point in Nigeria’s project delivery landscape, reducing abandoned infrastructure, improving fiscal accountability, and strengthening investor confidence across public and private sector projects.