FG Inaugurates 13-member Project Management Council To Drive Industrial Revival

The federal government has inaugurated a 13-member governing council for the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN). Tasked with spearheading strategic initiatives, the council aims to drive economic growth, enhance project execution, and tackle Nigeria’s long standing challenge of abandoned projects

Minister of state for industry, Senator John Enoh, who led the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, emphasised the government’s commitment to strengthening local industries and boosting domestic manufacturing. Represented by senior policy adviser Dr. Adedeji Adeshile, Enoh described the move as a game-changer for Nigeria’s industrial sector. He stated that the government has outlined a clear industrial strategy prioritising local manufacturing and automobile production, adding that CIPMN has a critical role to play in ensuring projects are executed efficiently to drive sustainable economic progress.

He urged industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to work together in achieving Nigeria’s industrialisation goals, expressing confidence in the council’s ability to deliver measurable results.

CIPMN registrar Henry Mbadiwe, underscored the institute’s role in raising the bar for project management across multiple sectors, ensuring adherence to global best practices. He emphasised that project management is not limited to construction but plays a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare, finance, business transformation, and national infrastructure. As the nation’s regulatory body, he said CIPMN would ensure that project managers are properly licensed and trained to deliver world-class results.

To further strengthen Nigeria’s workforce, Mbadiwe announced that CIPMN has partnered with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to launch a special certification program for artisans under the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative. The programme is designed to enhance artisans’ skills and professionalism, equipping them for greater opportunities in both local and international markets.

In a bold push to tackle Nigeria’s lingering challenge of abandoned projects, Mbadiwe disclosed a groundbreaking partnership with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to develop the country’s first-ever project management standards. He stated that a specialised technical committee is already in place to drive the initiative, ensuring projects are executed with greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

He also revealed that CIPMN is collaborating with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to pioneer Nigeria’s first standardised academic curriculum for project management, a move aimed at equipping future professionals with the expertise needed to drive efficient and impactful project execution.

Speaking on behalf of the newly-inaugurated council, CIPMN president Emmanuel Afolayan, reaffirmed their commitment to driving excellence in project management and making a tangible impact on Nigeria’s economy. He assured stakeholders that the council would set new benchmarks, ensure best practices, and contribute meaningfully to national development. With the right structures in place, he expressed optimism that Nigeria’s project execution landscape would be transformed, leading to greater industrial efficiency and economic growth.

He further noted that with the inauguration of the CIPMN council, Nigeria will enter a new era of well-executed projects, reduced infrastructural failures, and a stronger economy driven by strategic project management.