The Federal Government has once again confirmed the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) as the only chartered regulator for Human Resource practice across the country. This comes after the release of a new circular aimed at professionalising HR roles within the Federal Public Service.
The directive, issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) under reference number HCSF/3065/Vol.1/230, dated May 14, 2026, sets mandatory certification requirements for staff serving in HR positions within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
According to the circular, which was signed by the Head of the Civil Service, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, MCIPM, this policy is part of broader reforms designed to boost professionalism, competence, ethical standards, and service delivery in the Federal Civil Service.
The circular specifically highlights certifications from CIPM and a select group of internationally recognised HR bodies, thus reinforcing CIPM’s unique role as Nigeria’s chartered and legally backed institution for regulating and advancing Human Resource Management.
Under these new rules, any officer deployed to HR functions in the Federal Public Service must hold an approved HR certification. A twelve-month grace period has been provided for current officers to obtain the necessary certification, after which only certified professionals can be assigned to HR roles within the Service.
Reacting to the announcement, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, praised the government for this bold step toward institutionalising professionalism in the public sector. He said, “This circular marks a landmark policy that aligns Nigeria’s public service with global HR best practices. As the chartered institute legally empowered to regulate HR practice in Nigeria, CIPM fully supports this reform and insists that professional certification and ethical conduct are essential for effective people management in any organisation.”
Mallam Gobir also stressed that CIPM’s enabling law positions it as the authoritative body for setting standards, certifying practitioners, and maintaining discipline within the HR profession in Nigeria. “Although the circular recognises some international certifications, it is crucial to note that within Nigeria, CIPM alone holds the legal mandate to regulate HR practice. All practitioners working in Nigeria must align with CIPM’s regulatory framework.”
This policy is expected to significantly improve service delivery, promote merit-based appointments, and ensure that HR roles are filled by competent professionals with the right knowledge and ethical grounding to manage the country’s public workforce. The Institute encourages all HR practitioners, especially those in the public sector, to use the transition period to regularise their status and obtain CIPM certification. As Nigeria advances its public sector reforms, professionalising HR practice stands as a vital pillar for building a more efficient, accountable, and results-driven civil service, one that is grounded in global standards and strengthened by local regulatory oversight under CIPM.