Vivian Ojei Urges HR Professionals to Embrace Continuous Upgrade

 By Genesis ogiri 

Abuja, Nigeria — At the 25th Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Professional Managers, Vivian Ojei, MCIPM, Vice Chairperson of the CBD Chapter and PM NSITF, delivered a passionate call for HR professionals to continually upgrade their skills and mindset to remain relevant in today’s fast-evolving workplace.

 Speaking before an audience of industry leaders, policymakers, and practitioners at the Harris Hotel, Wuye, Abuja, she urged the profession to shed outdated “people police” stereotypes and instead position itself as a strategic driver of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and organisational transformation.

In an era defined by rapid change and technological disruption, adaptability is no longer optional for Human Resources professionals but a survival imperative, according to Vivian Ojei, MCIPM, Vice Chairperson of the CBD Chapter, in her remarks to the media.

The 25th Annual Conference, a one-day event that brought together HR executives, business leaders, policymakers, and industry innovators from across FCT Abuja, served as both a learning hub and a strategic forum. Throughout the day, delegates exchanged insights on how analytics, technology, and adaptive leadership can shape the future of work in a VUCA world. The atmosphere was charged with forward-thinking conversations, as sessions combined academic depth with practical, business-ready solutions.

Framing her remarks within the realities of a VUCA world, Ojei urged HR leaders to transcend administrative routines and embrace data-driven strategies that directly support organisational vision. “The narrative has changed — we must upgrade,” she declared, calling for a decisive shift from the outdated view of HR as “people police” to a new role as strategic partners driving innovation, growth, and workplace transformation.

Themed “HR Analytics in a VUCA World: Leveraging Data for Strategic Decision Making,” the conference brought together senior professionals, business executives, and policymakers to examine how analytics, artificial intelligence, and technology are redefining the future of work.

Ojei, who also serves as PM NSITF, delivered a strong challenge to her peers: adopt a forward-looking mindset and actively position HR as a critical business function. She warned that failure to adapt to data-centric practices could leave Nigerian HR professionals lagging behind their global counterparts.

> “We must now mirror a new dimension of delivery that aligns with organisational goals and creates value,” she said. “AI cannot and should not replace human beings in the HR system — it exists to assist our efforts, making processes faster, smarter, and more accurate, while the human touch remains irreplaceable.”

She stressed that while Artificial Intelligence is becoming a powerful tool in HR, its success depends on the ability of professionals to integrate it thoughtfully into human-centred strategies.

During a post-session media briefing, Ojei underscored the importance of continuous learning, urging attendees to take the insights gained beyond the conference hall. “Today’s discussions and lectures should not end here. We must take these lessons back to our workplaces, integrate them into our daily HR operations, and align with AI-driven systems that can make decision-making faster, smarter, and more precise,” she advised.

Participants engaged in keynote sessions, panel discussions, and case studies exploring the strategic application of HR analytics in talent acquisition, performance management, and employee engagement. Presenters demonstrated how predictive data models can reduce staff turnover, improve recruitment quality, and link HR metrics directly to organisational performance.

The interactive programme also provided networking opportunities where delegates shared experiences and discussed practical steps for preparing their organisations for technological and cultural shifts without losing sight of the human element.

Attendees described the event as a “wake-up call” — a reminder that HR is no longer a back-office function but a front-line driver of corporate competitiveness. Many left with renewed commitment to integrate technology into their HR practices while safeguarding empathy, fairness, and cultural alignment.

From Ojei’s perspective, the conference was more than a celebration of the institute’s 25th anniversary — it was a catalyst for change. “The future of HR belongs to those who are ready to adapt, innovate, and lead with data,” she concluded. “If we apply what we’ve learned here today, we will not only strengthen our organisations but also position Nigerian HR professionals as global pace-setters.”

By the close of the event, a sense of urgency had taken root among participants — urgency to act, to upgrade, and to lead the transformation of HR from a support service into a strategic powerhouse.

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