Discover the best management professional courses in Nigeria to enhance leadership skills, gain industry recognition, and accelerate your career growth.
By Ajiboye Taiwo Hassan
In a world where certifications are not just an advantage but a necessity. Whether you are a small business owner, professional, or a fresh graduate looking forward to leadership roles in your future career, enrolling in the right management course can play an impactful role by setting you apart from others in your career prospects.
Apart from the fast-rising digital world, Nigeria’s professional landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, and employers in the industries are looking for nothing but an employee with good academic grades combined with practical managerial skills. Imagine you are assuming a secretary role without the knowledge of how to track the daily sales of the company?
This article contains in detail the top management professional courses in Nigeria, their benefits, certified institutions, and how to choose the right one for your career path.
What does a Management Professional Course mean?
A management professional course is an educational program designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in leadership and management roles across various industries.
Why Should You Pursue a Management Professional Course?
Here are the reasons you have to take a professional course today:
- Skill development: gain necessary skills in leadership, strategy, decision making, business development, and organizational management.
- Professional recognition: having management skills helps gain credibility in skills with global recognition.
- Career advancement: candidates with good management skills have a higher chance of getting a fast-track promotion and leadership position.
- Networking: possessing the necessary management skills earns you the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and industry leaders with global recognition.
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Areas of Study under Management Professional Courses:
These are some popular areas to pursue a management professional course;
- Project management
- Human resource management
- Strategic management
- Supply chain management
- Production and manufacturing
- Sales and marketing
- Leadership and administration
Here are the Top Management Professional Courses in Nigeria:
Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM):
CIPM is Nigeria’s top HR professional body, offering a structured certification path that blends management theory with practical human resources tools. This institution focuses on human resources and organizational management. They offer 3 levels of study: Foundational, Intermediate, and Professional. The duration varies by entry level.
- Highly valued in the HR (Human Resources) and administrative sectors.
- Website: https://cipmnigeria.org/
Nigerian Institute of Management, Chartered (NIM Chartered):
NIM Chartered, provides professional qualifications in general management. Their curriculum includes capacity building in decision making, business law, planning, and leadership. Their focus includes strategic planning and business development.
- Ideal for aspiring and current managers in all sectors. Their levels are: associated member (ANIM), Full member (MNIM), and Fellow (FNIM), Companion member (CNIM) which is exclusively reserved for past presidents and graduate membership category for fresh graduates, with a 6-12 month duration. They are well regarded by local employers and SMEs.
- NIM is the largest professional body in Africa, with over 200,000 individuals and 400 corporate organizations in membership with the institute.
Website: https://nim.ng/
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN):
ICAN is Nigeria’s premier accounting body, but it also includes robust managerial and strategic management modules in its professional level. It prepares candidates for leadership in financial institutions and corporate settings.
- Their focus includes financial management and strategic planning.
- Ideal for Accountants, Finance professionals, and CFO (Chief Financial Officer) aspirants with 1-3 years duration, depending on background and career path.
- ICAN is globally recognized and respected.
Website: www.icanig.org
Project Management Professional (PMP) by PMI:
Project Management Professional is an internationally recognized professional designation offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). As of 31 July 2020, there are 1,036,368 active PMP-certified individuals and 314 chartered chapters across 214 countries and territories worldwide.
- It is widely accepted in Nigerian Tech, construction, oil & gas, and development sectors.
- It focuses on project lifestyle management and team coordination.
- Ideal for project managers, Engineers, technicians, and construction professionals with a 2-6 month duration, depending on the course.
Below are some of the institutions offering PMP training in Nigeria, and the mode of classes:
- Harrybaker training institute: Virtual mode of PMP and CAPM training with classes scheduled throughout the year.
- Ciel Consulting: offers physical PMP training in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, with offices in multiple locations within the cities.
- Certification edge: offers both online and in-class PMP training .
- JK Michaels Institute: offers practical and engaging PMP training.
- Piston and Fusion business academy: offers physical training in Lagos and virtual classes.
- IT plus Nigeria
- Unichrome: online and classroom PMP training in Ibadan.
Website: www.pmi.org/
NIPM (Nigeria Institute of Production Management):
NIPM is Nigeria’s first association of production and operations management and has been in existence for over 3 decades, established in 1987. Typically a PDFI (professional development facilitating institution), it focuses on training and development of management and operational professionals in various fields.
- Ideal for factory managers, production supervisors, operation managers, supply chain and logistics executives, and quality assurance specialists.
- Its area of training in management includes: manufacturing and industrial professionals, supply chain and logistics roles, quality improvement roles, technical and engineering roles, and sector-specific roles.
- NIMP is globally recognized and accredited nationwide for operational, management and supply chain logistics industries.
- Membership ranges from undergraduate students to great leaders of industries in Nigeria.
- Website: www.nipmnigeria.com.ng/
Tips for Choosing the Right Management Course:
How do you know the right course to choose when pursuing a management professional course?
- Career advancement: Ensure the course aligns with your career development and objectives.
- Skill development: The course should add more value to you by improving your skills and growth.
- Professional recognition/ accreditation: ensure the course is widely recognised, accepted, and accredited across relevant industries.
- Networking: A promising management professional course should provide an avenue for connecting with leaders across industries so as to enhance hands-on experience with career management.
Conclusion
Enrolling for the top management professional courses enables exploring opportunities and gives you an edge over others, regardless of being a student preparing yourself for the job market or a professional seeking managerial and leadership roles.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the top management professionals in Nigeria
1. What is the best management professional course in Nigeria?
The best course depends on your career goals. MBA programs are ideal for broad leadership skills, PMP for project management, NIPM for production management, and NIM certifications for general management.
2. How long does it take to complete a management course in Nigeria?
Duration varies by program; short professional certifications can take 3–6 months, while an MBA may take 1–2 years.
3. Are Nigerian management courses recognized internationally?
Yes. Many certifications, such as PMP, CIM, and some MBA programs, have international recognition and can enhance your global career prospects.
4. How much do management professional courses cost in Nigeria?
Fees range from ₦100,000 for short-term certifications to several million naira for MBA programs at top business schools.
5. Can I take a management course online in Nigeria?
Yes. Several institutions, including Lagos Business School, NIM, and international providers, offer online or hybrid learning options.
6. Who should enroll in the Nigeria Institute of Production Management (NIPM)?
NIPM is ideal for production managers, operations executives, supply chain managers, quality assurance specialists, and manufacturing industry professionals.
7. Which management course is best for career advancement in the manufacturing sector?
The Nigeria Institute of Production Management (NIPM) certification is highly recommended for manufacturing and industrial operations, especially for professionals.
8. Do I need work experience to enroll in a management professional course?
Some programs require prior experience, such as an MBA or PMP, while others, like entry-level NIM certifications, are open to fresh graduates, and NIPM is open to undergraduate students.
9. How do I choose the right management course in Nigeria?
Consider your career goals, accreditation, industry demand, budget, and flexibility before enrolling.
