The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) conducted a specialised induction ceremony for public service staff of the Lagos State Government, marking a milestone in the professionalisation of human resource management within the state’s civil service.
A total of 141 officers were formally inducted into the Institute, with eight individuals inducted as Full Members (MCIPM) and 133 inducted as Associate Members (ACIPM) through the HR Practitioners route.
The ceremony, themed ‘Resilient People, Responsive Service: Charting the Future of HR in the Public Service,’ underscored the evolving role of HR in driving transformation across government institutions.
Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, in his keynote address, welcomed the inductees to the 65th Induction Ceremony with a stirring message of purpose and pride.
He described the event as “a coronation of potential,” and reminded the new members that their CIPM lapel is not just symbolic, but a legal license to practise HR in Nigeria.
He encouraged them to enrol in the newly launched CIPM HR Leadership Academy, designed to deepen expertise across HR value chains, and to actively participate in Lagos State branch and Alausa Chapter events, as well as national programmes like the CIPM International Conference and Exhibition (ICE) – the largest HR event in Africa.
“We are not here to tick boxes or crown titles,” the President declared. “We are here to awaken trailblazers who will make the public service not just functional, but phenomenal.”
He urged the inductees to embrace resilience and responsiveness, noting that “resilience is not forged in comfort; it is hammered in the heat of challenges and polished in the grit of persistence.”
Shuaheeb Bode Agoro, the Head of Service of Lagos State, was represented by Abosede George, Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Commission.
In her remarks, she emphasised the centrality of HR in organisational effectiveness, stating, “HR is the most important department of any organisation. Without it, other branches are ineffective.”
She charged the inductees to leave a legacy of excellence, urging them to “ensure they leave the civil service better than they met it.”
Bibilomo Olayide Olushekun, the Guest Speaker, Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Governments, Establishments & Training, delivered a lecture on the future of HR in public service.
She highlighted the urgent need for transformation in the face of digital disruption, economic volatility, and rising public expectations.
“Public service has moved from paper-based to digital technology. HR is key in this transition,” she said.
She outlined the attributes of a modern workplace, including Digital HR, Agile teams, Real-time service, and Transparency and Accountability, stressing that HR must lead the charge in reshaping policies, reskilling staff, and driving innovation.
Olushekun warned that traditional bureaucratic systems, marked by slow approvals and outdated practices, breed dysfunction and public frustration. She called on HR professionals to be the bridge between today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities, asserting that “without a resilient and responsive HR driving the transition, progress stalls.”
The ceremony concluded with a resounding call to action: Resilient HR creates responsive service. Responsive service builds public trust. And HR is the foundation that makes both possible.
With this induction, CIPM continues to strengthen the professional capacity of HR practitioners in the public sector, reinforcing its role as the statutory regulator of human resource management in Nigeria.
