CIPM ICE 2026 ends with call for organisations to reposition for value, impact

After four days of thought-provoking conversations, bold ideas, and meaningful connections, the curtains have fallen on the 58th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE) of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), leaving thousands of HR professionals with a renewed commitment to create measurable value and lasting impact in their organisations. The conference brought together over 4,000 physical delegates and over 1,000 virtual delegates from across Nigeria and beyond, reinforcing its position as Africa’s largest gathering of human resource professionals. Delivering his closing remarks, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, reflected on the journey of the conference and the significance of the conversations that shaped the event. “We came, we learned, we networked, and we connected,” he said, capturing the essence of a conference that brought together business leaders, HR professionals, policymakers, academics, and global experts around the theme, “Repositioning for Value and Impact.” Mallam Gobir noted that while the conference sessions had come to an end, the real work was only beginning. “The real conference begins when we return to our boardrooms, leadership teams and organisations. What we have learned here must be translated into action, measurable value and lasting impact,” he charged. According to him, the conference succeeded in providing delegates with more than just knowledge. “This conference has given us knowledge and memories to take home. The challenge before us now is to ensure that the lessons learned become catalysts for transformation in our workplaces and institutions,” he said. Expressing appreciation to participants, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and partners, the CIPM President acknowledged the vital role delegates played in making the event a success. “There is no conference without the people, and you all brought this one to life. We are grateful to every delegate who travelled from different parts of Nigeria and the world in search of knowledge, collaboration and professional growth,” he added. Throughout the conference, delegates engaged in insightful discussions on some of the most pressing issues shaping the future of people management, including human-centred leadership, public sector transformation, organisational performance, governance, workforce productivity, artificial intelligence, human capability, HR standards, career development and the evolving expectations of business leaders from the HR profession. A major highlight of the conference was the announcement of a growing international recognition of CIPM and its commitment to advancing global standards in people management. Mallam Gobir noted that the Institute continues to deepen its global footprint through mutual recognition and strategic partnerships with leading professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA). He described the partnerships as a testament to the growing influence of Nigerian HR professionals on the global stage and a reflection of CIPM’s commitment to ensuring that its members remain globally competitive. In another significant announcement, the CIPM President revealed that the Third African Human Resource Summit will be held alongside the 59th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE 2027) next year, a development expected to further strengthen collaboration among HR practitioners across the continent and consolidate Africa’s voice in the global people management ecosystem. The conference featured an impressive lineup of renowned speakers, business executives, public sector leaders and HR thought leaders who challenged participants to rethink conventional approaches to people management and embrace innovation, data-driven decision-making and value creation. Many delegates described the conference as one of the most impactful editions in recent years. They praised the quality of the speakers, the relevance of the sessions and the diverse networking opportunities that enabled meaningful exchanges among professionals from different industries and countries. As delegates departed Abuja with fresh insights, new partnerships and renewed inspiration, the closing message remained clear: the success of the conference will not be measured by the number of sessions held or contacts exchanged, but by the value created and the impact delivered in workplaces, organisations and communities. With the curtains drawn on the 58th International Conference and Exhibition, CIPM has once again reinforced its position as the leading voice of people management in Africa, leaving participants with a renewed commitment to reposition themselves and their organisations for greater value, relevance and impact in an increasingly dynamic world of work.