The 57th International Conference and Exhibition of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) of Nigeria ended on a high note with former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo urging HR professionals to support a humane, ethical and future-ready workforce for Nigeria.
Osinbajo, who graced the closing ceremony, commended CIPM “for the great progress it has made over the last few years in regulating the practice of people management in Nigeria” and warned that artificial intelligence and rapid digital transformation have already transformed the world of work.
“AI has changed everything about the world. The future of work is already here – shaped by rapid digital transformation and our young population,” he told the packed hall. “We must continue to reskill and upgrade to meet the opportunities of the new world of work.”
On ethics and governance, the former Vice President urged HR leaders to formulate clear guidelines for responsible use of technology.
“Ethical and responsible use of technology is important. HR must ensure this. HR must create clear ethical guidelines to regulate AI,” he said, stressing that HR professionals must embrace data, which “should serve as a tool of empowerment and not control.”
Osinbajo also highlighted the human dimensions of the workplace and called for updated labor laws that reflect new work realities. “Prioritize employee well-being and mental health. Create a culture of empathy and inclusion to maintain productivity,” he said.
“The future of work will not be determined by technology alone, but by how organizations integrate human values into the deployment of technology, which HR professionals are at the forefront of achieving. The new world of work will not be determined by technology, but by people.”
With a total of 5,019 registered participants – 3,937 in-person delegates and 1,082 virtual attendees – this year’s edition officially stands as the largest HR gathering in Africa, cementing CIPM’s position at the forefront of people-management excellence on the continent and underscoring Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the future of work discourse regionally and globally.
Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, Chairman and Chairman of the Governing Council of the CIPM, used the occasion to emphasize a practical point: the ideas exchanged at the conference must be translated into action.
“Ensure you deploy the knowledge you gain from the conference in your various workplaces,” he urged delegates, and called on HR professionals to become engines of change within their organisations.
The closing ceremony and awards night followed was a celebratory affair: 73 members were awarded Fellowship of the Institute, a recognition reserved for professionals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the practice of people management in Nigeria.
As the curtain fell on this historic conference, one message echoed louder than ever: Nigeria's future will not be written by technology, but by people empowered to harness it with knowledge, empathy and foresight.
From the inspirational charge of Professor Osinbajo to the unwavering commitment of CIPM and thousands of delegates, the 57th International Conference concludes not as a celebration, but as a call to duty – to transform workplaces, elevate human potential and lead a future where innovation serves humanity.
With renewed energy and shared purpose, Nigeria's HR community prepares to move to Abuja to not only adapt to the new world of work but also shape it.
