The Registrar General of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, on Monday informed the Project Management Institute (PMI) in Nigeria that all certificates issued by it must be accredited by CIPMN for them to be recognised in the country.

The Registrar General issued this notice in Abuja while updating Nigerians on strides recorded in two years under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

Mbadiwe noted and accused some Nigerians and foreign nationals of deliberately breaking the laws of the country due to familiarity with current government officials who can wield the stick of nepotism to help them evade the law.

“It is often easy for some Nigerians and foreign nationals to break the laws governing various aspects of the country, as they believe nothing will happen; they think they know someone high up in the current government who can wield the stick of nepotism to help them evade the law.

“I now wish to address everyone in Nigeria who has completed the PMI certificate training or a certificate from any other issuing body in Nigeria.

“According to the law establishing the CIPMN, that certificate, if not approved by CIPMN, and that person licensed by the Institute, cannot claim to be a project manager and must not lead or manage any project in Nigeria.

“I convey the same message to PMI Nigeria. I will not allow you to undermine the laws of this country; the certificates you issue in Nigeria must be accredited by CIPMN, and the training centres you operate there must also be accredited by CIPMN. This is the law.

“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.

“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; 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): The council may make rules

“For the training of registered members of the profession or suitable persons in project management method

“For the supervision, regulation, engagement, and training of the persons.

“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.

“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, seek 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, ‘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 of 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.’

“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. 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.

“We will utilise the instruments available to us to seal off and pursue those who break these laws, establishing CIPMN.

“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.

“This is a country with laws, and in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope agenda, we carry out our legally mandated duties to regulate the project management profession for the benefit of the country, its laws, and its people. So help me God.”

According to him, the police recently arrested a former CIPMN member who had been parading himself as the president of CIPMN, adding that Mr. Jamilu believed that nothing would happen when he told the IPO in the case that they should let him go because they were from the same tribe.

“However, I thank the Nigerian Police, under the direction of the IGP, for not yielding.

“The police stood their ground, and the investigation is ongoing. I am confident that the police will see this through to the end; we will be watching, and I am sure Nigerians will as well.”