The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, has unveiled plans to train civil servants nationwide on project management skills.

The initiative was announced on Wednesday in Abuja when the CIPMN Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer, Henry Mbadiwe, led his team to confer fellow awards of the institute on the Minister, Zaphaniah Jisalo, and the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Onwusoro Ihemelandu, at the ministry’s headquarters.

Representing the Minister, Dr. Ihemelandu said the training would enhance the capacity of civil servants in project design, costing, monitoring, and delivery.

“We can do project management upscaling across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, starting from the Federal Capital Territory. The Permanent Secretaries at the Federal and state levels will be the first beneficiaries, followed by Directors and then civil servants across the country,” he said.

He emphasised that one of the challenges facing government projects was poor cost management, worsened by the volatility of the naira and quality concerns over materials. He called for collaboration with agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Bureau of Public Procurement, and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria to achieve results.

On his part, Mbadiwe said the partnership with the ministry would help institutionalise project management practices across the public service.

“By this award, you are taking up a unique position to drive project management in Nigeria and ensure that its practice remains at the forefront of national initiatives, in line with the Renewed Hope agenda,” he said.

Stakeholders’ forums are expected to be convened to bring Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on board as part of the rollout of the training programme.