….Reaffirms Commitment to Human Capital Development
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to human capital development and professional excellence, pledging to sustain the state’s participation in the programmes and activities of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).
The Governor made the commitment when he received a delegation from CIPM, led by its President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, at the State House, Marina, Lagos.
The visit featured the Governor’s formal decoration as a Fellow of the Institute, following the conferment of the honour at CIPM’s 58th International Conference and Exhibition.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended CIPM for its sustained contributions to the advancement of Human Resource Management and professional development in Nigeria, describing the Institute as a critical partner in building the capacity of the nation’s workforce.
He also lauded the successful hosting of the Institute’s 58th International Conference and Exhibition, noting that the annual gathering provides an important platform for knowledge sharing, professional development and capacity building for public and private sector employees.
In a significant commitment to sustaining the state’s investment in workforce development, the Governor disclosed that he would ensure the continued participation of Lagos State officials in future CIPM conferences beyond his tenure.
He added that he would include the commitment in his handover note to the next administration to promote continuity in the state’s human capital development efforts.
The Governor further expressed satisfaction with the growing number of Lagos State public servants embracing CIPM membership and professional development opportunities, describing human capital development as a central pillar of his administration’s development agenda.
He commended the leadership of the Lagos State Civil Service, led by Bode Agoro, the Head of Service, for promoting professionalism and encouraging public servants to continuously develop their skills and competencies through recognised professional institutions such as CIPM.
Reflecting on his conferment as a Fellow of the Institute, Governor Sanwo-Olu praised CIPM’s rigorous membership and Fellowship process, noting that the honour carries significant credibility because it is earned on merit.
“The process shows that CIPM does not just confer Fellowship on anyone, but on those who truly deserve it,” he stated.
Earlier, Gobir congratulated the Governor on his conferment as a Fellow of the Institute and commended his consistent support for human capital development and the advancement of the Human Resource profession.
He explained that the Fellowship award recognises distinguished professionals and leaders who have met the Institute’s prescribed professional and leadership requirements.
The CIPM President also commended the Governor for facilitating the participation of more than 500 Lagos State civil servants at the Institute’s recently concluded 58th International Conference and Exhibition, noting that Lagos State recorded the largest delegation at the event.
He described the participation as evidence of the state’s commitment to workforce development and continuous learning.
According to Gobir, Lagos State demonstrates how deliberate investment in people can strengthen institutions and enhance public sector performance. He also acknowledged the contributions of the state’s civil service leadership to fostering a culture of professionalism and lifelong learning.
The visit underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between Lagos State and CIPM in advancing professional excellence, strengthening workforce capacity and promoting human capital development as a driver of economic growth and effective governance.
Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
