Ex-CIPM boss Mojeed dismisses one-party state fears, urges calm in political discourse
The immediate past President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mr. Segun Mojeed, has downplayed concerns that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state, urging political
The immediate past President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mr. Segun Mojeed, has downplayed concerns that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state, urging political actors and citizens to avoid escalating tensions.
Mojeed spoke in Abuja during a media parley and Forum of Past Chairmen and Fellows organised by the CIPM Abuja Branch.
Addressing questions on the nation’s political climate and the perceived dominance of the ruling party, he maintained that Nigeria’s democracy remains anchored on constitutional processes and the rule of law.
“We have seen these things happen before in this country. Parties have emerged from nowhere and later risen to power. Let us not join anyone in overheating the polity. There is still law in this country,” he said.
He noted that political realignments and periods of dominance by particular parties are not new in Nigeria’s democratic history.
“At a point in this country, one political party controlled almost all the states. So what is happening today is not entirely new. Democracy is dynamic, and politics is about alignment, collaboration and the will of the people,” he stated.
Mojeed urged Nigerians to allow the courts and other democratic institutions to carry out their functions without undue pressure or tension.
“Let us do things properly. The courts remain the last hope of the common man. If the court has spoken, then let us go back to the drawing board and follow due process instead of heating up the system,” he added.
Mojeed warned politicians and commentators against making inflammatory statements that could create instability in the country.
“If anybody becomes too arrogant politically, there is still God in heaven who rules in the affairs of men. Nigerians should calm down and allow democracy to take its course,” he said.
The CIPM chieftain also used the occasion to reiterate the institute’s determination to eliminate quackery in the Human Resources (HR) profession, insisting that CIPM remains the only legally recognised body empowered to regulate HR practice in Nigeria.
“We are the only professional body recognised by the law of the land to regulate Human Resource practice in Nigeria. Anybody parading any other HR regulatory certificate outside CIPM should know that the handwriting is on the wall,” he said.
According to him, the institute has intensified efforts to sanitise the profession through stricter certification processes, enforcement of professional standards and the delisting of inactive members.
He added that the institute was collaborating with international professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), United Kingdom, and CPHR Canada to strengthen the global relevance of Nigerian HR professionals.
Mojeed disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has made CIPM certification mandatory for HR officers in the civil service.
“You cannot even progress beyond certain levels in the civil service now without CIPM certification,” he said.
Chairman of the CIPM Abuja Branch, Mr Aina Segun Aina, said the institute is championing a new national conversation on human capital development and the strategic role of HR in governance and business sustainability.
According to him, HR practice must move beyond administrative functions to become a key driver of organisational performance and national development.
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“Policies do not implement themselves; people do. Systems do not run themselves; people do. If we truly want transformation in governance and organisations, then human capital transformation must become a priority,” Aina said.
He noted that the Abuja Branch currently has over 1,000 members and is focusing on deepening professional standards, expanding certification opportunities, strengthening research and improving workforce development.
Aina also announced plans for the branch’s forthcoming annual conference, which he described as a “transformation platform” for the future of work and human capital development in Nigeria.
Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mrs Nana Gbolahon, said this year’s conference would be expanded from a one-day programme to a three-day event to accommodate masterclasses, career fairs and specialised capacity-building sessions.
According to her, the conference will target young people in universities and secondary schools, exposing them to emerging career opportunities and improving their employability.
“We want to create a bridge between young people and industries. Many youths do not even know the opportunities available in several sectors. The career fair is designed to expose them to those possibilities,” she said.
Lady Beatrice Orji, a former branch chairman, highlighted the growing impact of professional HR practice within the public sector, noting that traditional administrative structures were gradually giving way to structured human capital management systems.
She said the increasing number of certified HR professionals in government institutions was already improving workforce planning, training and performance management.
Also present at the event were Ibrahim Tejan and other fellows and senior members of the institute, who reiterated the need for continuous professional development and stronger collaboration among HR practitioners nationwide.
