As businesses contend with economic uncertainty, rapid technological advancement and evolving workforce expectations, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has stressed the need for organisations to reposition their workforce strategies to remain competitive and deliver sustainable value.
The institute said the changing global business landscape requires both public and private sector organisations to place people at the centre of their transformation efforts, warning that traditional approaches to workforce management may no longer be sufficient in today's dynamic operating environment.
Speaking ahead of the CIPM 58th International Conference and Exhibition, scheduled to hold from September 21 to 24, 2026, in Abuja, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Gobir, said organisations must embrace strategic human capital development to remain resilient and future-ready.
According to him, organisations around the world are facing growing challenges ranging from economic volatility and talent shortages to rapid digital transformation and changing employee expectations. These developments, he noted, are redefining how businesses create, sustain and measure value.
“The world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Organisations today are operating in an environment characterised by rapid technological advancement, shifting workforce demographics, changing stakeholder expectations, and increasing pressure to deliver measurable results,” Gobir said.
He emphasised that business leaders can no longer treat human resource management as a routine administrative function but must recognise it as a strategic driver of organisational growth, innovation, productivity and long-term sustainability.
Gobir further stated that organisations must rethink how they attract, develop, engage and retain talent if they hope to remain agile in an increasingly competitive global economy.
The CIPM president explained that the theme of this year's conference, "Repositioning for Value and Impact," reflects the urgent need for organisations to reassess their operating structures, strengthen workforce capabilities and align people management strategies with broader business objectives.
He warned that organisations that fail to adapt to the changing realities of the workplace risk losing their competitive edge.
“The future belongs to organisations that can effectively align people, technology, culture and strategy to create sustainable value. Repositioning for value and impact is no longer a choice; it is a business imperative,” he said.
Gobir added that the conference will bring together human resource professionals, business executives, policymakers and academics to examine emerging workforce trends, exchange ideas and develop practical solutions to the challenges confronting organisations.
According to him, the event is designed to equip participants with actionable insights and forward-looking strategies that will enable organisations to navigate complexity, strengthen institutional resilience and achieve sustainable growth.
The institute also described the annual conference as its flagship event and Africa's largest gathering of human resource professionals and business leaders. It noted that the conference continues to attract participants from across the continent and beyond, providing a platform for knowledge sharing, policy discussions, professional development and strategic networking.