Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged to sustain the state government’s investment in workforce development beyond his tenure after receiving a Fellowship award from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).
The governor was formally decorated during a meeting with a CIPM delegation led by its President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ahmed Gobir, at the State House, Marina, Lagos, according to a statement issued by the institute on Thursday.
The Fellowship was conferred on Sanwo-Olu at the institute’s 58th International Conference and Exhibition, where Lagos State recorded the largest delegation, with more than 500 civil servants in attendance.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to human capital development, saying he would include the state’s continued participation in CIPM programmes in his handover note to the next administration to ensure continuity in professional training and development.
He commended the institute for its contribution to human resource management in Nigeria, describing it as an important partner in strengthening workforce capacity. He also praised the successful organisation of the conference, noting that it provided opportunities for knowledge sharing, professional growth and capacity building across the public and private sectors.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the increasing number of Lagos State public servants participating in CIPM membership and professional development programmes. He also commended the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, and the state’s civil service leadership for promoting professionalism and encouraging workers to improve their skills and competencies.
Speaking on the Fellowship, Sanwo-Olu praised the institute’s selection process, saying its requirements reinforced the credibility of the honour.
“The process shows that CIPM does not just confer Fellowship on anyone, but on those who truly deserve it,” he said.
Earlier, Gobir congratulated the governor, explaining that the Fellowship recognises distinguished professionals and leaders who meet the institute’s prescribed professional and leadership standards.
He also commended Sanwo-Olu for facilitating the participation of more than 500 state civil servants at the conference, describing the large delegation as evidence of Lagos State’s commitment to continuous learning and workforce development.
Gobir said the state demonstrated how deliberate investment in people could strengthen institutions and improve public-sector performance, while acknowledging the contributions of its civil service leadership to promoting professionalism.
The engagement underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between Lagos State and CIPM in advancing professional excellence, strengthening workforce capacity and improving public service delivery. However, the statement did not specify funding arrangements or targets for the state’s future participation in the institute’s programmes.
