The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has issued a final warning to the Project Management Institute (PMI) Nigeria, project management training and consulting organisations to as a matter of urgency come for the requisite licencing and accreditation or face the full wrath of the law.
The Registrar General and Chief Executive Officer, CIPMN, Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe read the riot act at a news conference in Abuja with the title "a call to accreditation and compliance with the CIPMN Establishment Act".
He said everyone in Nigeria who has completed the PMI certificate training or a certificate from any other issuing body in Nigeria must be certified by CIPMN in accordance with the law in order to practice as a project manager in the country.
"This is the final call I am making to PMI Nigeria and other project management training or consulting organisations in Nigeria, do not break the law.
"We will utilise the instruments available to us to seal off and pursue those who break these laws, establishing CIPMN.
"Do not allow your members or staff to continue to break the law. CIPMN will enforce this law on those who violate it; it is an offence to lead any project without the CIPMN License.
"Nigeria is not a lawless country; our National Assembly exists for a reason, the law enforcement agencies and our judicial system exist for a reason, and our presidency exists for a reason.
The CIPMN boss also cited some legal provisions backing the institute's action
"The Act in Section 15 (1a) says the Council may approve any qualification for the purposes of this Act, and for that purpose approve any –
a. Course of training of any approved institution which is intended for persons who are seeking to become or are already project management professionals and which the council considers relevant to confer on persons completing it sufficient knowledge and skills for admission to the institute and;
b. Qualification which, as a result of an examination taken in conjunction with a course of training approved by the council under this section, is granted to candidates reaching a specific standard at the examination, indicating in the opinion of the members of the council that the candidates have sufficient knowledge and skills to practice project management”
"The Act section 21 (1) said the council may make rules
a. For the training of registered members of the profession or suitable persons in project management method
b. For the supervision, regulation, engagement and training of the persons.
c. Subsection (1f) – Restrict the right to practice as a member of the profession if the qualification granted outside Nigeria does not entitle the holder to practice before a person qualifies for a license to practise as a member of the profession.
"While the Act in section 8 states that the project management professional from abroad who resides in Nigeria and wishes to practice shall, within 12 months after the commencement of this Act see registration with the institute to become a member.”
"Section 9A states, “A person shall not be entitled to be appointed or engaged to head any project management of an organisation unless he is duly registered as a member of the institute qualified by examination or approved award.”
"The act in Section 7 states, that the council shall from time to time, publish in the Federal Government Gazette, particulars of qualifications for the time being accepted for registration under the Act.”
"Section 19 (2): “ Where on or after the commencement date of this Act , a person who is not a member of the Institute practices (PM) or holds himself out as a member in expectation or a reward (like a salary, pay or recognition) or takes or uses any name, title addition or description implying that he is a member, the person commits an offence”
"Section 20 (1) says “Any regulation made under this Act shall be published in the federal government Gazette and a copy of the regulation shall be forwarded to the Minister of Commerce (FMITI) not less than. Seven days before they are published”
Mr. Mbadiwe however, noted that Nigeria is a country with laws, and in line with President Bola Tinubu administration's Renewed Hope agenda, CIPMN will carry out its legally mandated duties to regulate the project management profession for the benefit of the country, its laws and the people.