By Fidelis David

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Ondo State Branch, has initiated moves to establish a strategic partnership with the Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, aimed at strengthening human resource development, professional training, and career advancement opportunities for students and staff of the institution.

The proposal was unveiled during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Institute to the management of the Polytechnic, where both parties explored areas of collaboration that would bridge the gap between academic learning and professional human resource practice.

Leading the CIPM delegation, the Ondo State Branch Chairman, Mrs. Pamela Elekwachi, said the Institute was keen on fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the Polytechnic through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would enhance professional development and create pathways for students to become certified HR practitioners.

She explained that similar partnerships already exist in some institutions across the country and have yielded significant benefits for both students and staff.

According to her, "The proposed partnership will strengthen the link between academic learning, institutional administration and professional HR practice. It will provide students with access to CIPM's membership route, giving them a competitive edge among their peers and a pathway to becoming licensed HR professionals upon graduation."

Elekwachi added that staff members of the institution would also benefit from the Institute's professional programmes, noting that opportunities exist for membership registration through the Practitioner and Executive Routes, alongside specialised training programmes, seminars and conferences.

She further disclosed that CIPM was willing to organise career clinics for students to improve their employability and competitiveness in the labour market.

Receiving the delegation, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Ademola Iyanda Ebeloku, a member of the Institute, described CIPM as a critical stakeholder in nation-building and professional development.

He commended the Institute for its commitment to maintaining professional standards and ethics in human resource management, noting that its objectives align with the Polytechnic's vision of producing competent and industry-ready graduates.

"Your dedication to upholding standards, ethics and continuous professional development mirrors the values we instill in our students. Your visit today confirms that the work we do in training HR personnel here is recognised and valued at the highest professional level."

The Rector assured the delegation that the institution remained open to discussions that would strengthen its relationship with the Institute through programme accreditation, student membership, staff induction and collaborative capacity-building initiatives.

He added that such collaboration would further position the Polytechnic as a centre for excellence in human resource education and professional practice.

As part of efforts to advance the proposed partnership, the Polytechnic management agreed to appoint a liaison officer to coordinate engagements with the Institute, while the CIPM chairman also pledged to nominate a representative to facilitate continuous interaction between both organisations.

Elekwachi used the occasion to invite members of the Polytechnic management to the 11th CIPM Ondo State Branch Conference scheduled for August 12–13, 2026, in Akure, as well as the Institute's 57th International Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.

The visit featured an interactive session, exchange of souvenirs and a vote of thanks delivered by the Deputy Registrar, Division of Information, Protocol and Passages, Mr. Sanmi Enigbokan.

Among those present were the Deputy Rector, Dr. Samson Adehuga Omogbehin; the Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Adeyemi Awe; the Bursar, Mr. Sehinde Ebenezer Olabode; the Polytechnic Librarian, Dr. (Mrs.) Fasa Rachael Aladeniyi; Acting Head of the Department of Business Administration and Management, Mrs. Kudirat Folorunso; Senior Assistant Registrar, Rectory, Mr. Festus Ogunruku; and Assistant Registrar, Division of Information, Protocol and Passages, Mr. Akindele Oyebanji.