Chartered Institute of Project Managements of Nigeria has underscored the importance of professionalising project management across all sectors as a strategic pathway to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.

The registrar-general and CEO of the institute, Henry Mbadiwe, said this at the 2026 National Industrial Manpower Summit in Abuja.

Mr Mbadiwe said in a statement on Thursday that professionalising project management would strengthen human capital and accelerate national development.

He said that the summit with the theme ‘Unlocking Nigeria’s Human Capital for Industrial Transformation: Building Skills, Driving Innovation and Creating Prosperity’, would create a pathway towards strengthening the profession.

Mr Mbadiwe noted that sustainable national development and industrial growth depended largely on effective project delivery, competent manpower and adherence to professional standards.

According to him, project management goes beyond administrative responsibilities to serving as a critical foundation for infrastructure development, industrial expansion and successful implementation of innovative ideas.

Mr Mbadiwe also stressed that achieving meaningful industrial transformation and sustainable prosperity required deliberate investment in professional competence, workforce development and the enforcement of recognised standards across all sectors of the economy.

“When project delivery is anchored on standardised practices, transparency and accountability, it will eliminate resource wastage, reduce project abandonment and maximise the return on human capital investment,” he said.

Mr Mbadiwe described CIPMN as a federal government institute assigned the responsibility of licensing and certification, regulation and supervision, as well training and professional standardisation. He explained that the goal was to promote competence, uphold ethical conduct and equip practitioners with the knowledge and skills required to manage projects effectively.

Reaffirming the institute’s commitment to national development, Mr Mbadiwe said that CIPMN is guided by its vision to professionalise project management to build a more sustainable future for the nation.

He said the institute would continue to collaborate with government agencies, private-sector organisations and educational institutions to promote effective project management practices and support sustainable development across the country.

He urged practising project managers, corporate organisations and public-sector institutions to align their operations with applicable CIPMN statutory requirements and professional guidelines.

According to him, effective project management is essential to ensuring that investments in national development yield lasting economic and social benefits.

Mr Mbadiwe restated that institutional collaboration, professional competence and accountability remained vital to reducing project failures, improving resource utilisation and translating Nigeria’s development investments into tangible results for citizens.

(NAN)