Just in case you landed here while still wondering if professional certification in Nigeria is worth your time and money, well the answer is an emphatic yes. It really still makes a whole lot of sense to invest in professional certifications in Nigeria. This is because when the window of good opportunity comes knocking, you don’t want to be knocked off by a professional certification that you could have acquired within two months.

Like other countries, developed or developing, Nigeria employers are always on the lookout for candidates with the talent to help drive their organization. And as the world is fast becoming a smaller global village, employers are more interested in your global competence. And the best way to prove that you are vast in skills and knowledge required to function globally is by professional certification.

Heck, many employers even value good professional certification above experience, and you would be shocked to your core what value a professional certificate holds when a holder is placed side by side with a none holder in the interview hall or “consideration scale”. In fact, employers will make better offer for you to leave your current job once they see you have what it takes. Therefore, professional certification is a sure part to career growth if you seek growth in your career journey.

 

Some Fact About The Worth of Professional Certifications

A survey conducted by Axelos among more than 1,800 individuals and decision-makers across 91 countries and 24 industries has the below outcome among others:

• On the question of whether professional certification is still a valuable indicator of knowledge and expertise, the answer was a resounding yes.
• The survey shows that 97% of decision-makers and 84% of individuals agree that professional certification has a positive impact, bringing higher efficiency and employee satisfaction.
• The survey confirmed that only one in twenty decision-makers think non-certification courses are more important than certification ones.

Similarly, ftp.learningsolutionsmag and Salary.com research shows that “professional certifications can have a positive impact on overall wages, even if you already have an academic degree… Certifications and memberships in professional organizations or trade associations can have a positive effect on pay. However, if a job calls for a certification you don’t have, you might not get the job or your pay might be set at the lower end of the range. Some employers require employees without certifications to work toward them.”

Furthermore, having a professional certification that is considered optional for your job can still serve to help you negotiate for a higher wage according to Learning Resources. Employers know that candidates who form the habit of investing in their career by increasing knowledge don’t just do it for better pay. They are constantly investing in themselves because they want to be better solution providers for organizations.

 

10 Professional Certification in Nigeria to Differentiate You From The Crowd

From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that professional certification is one of the sure method to give yourself a notable edge over others in your professional field. Not only that, it is a way to take your academic pedigree to a whole new level.

Global, professional courses and exams are organized by accredited professional bodies. These courses and exams are created and made available for professionals who have completed their higher education. After preparatory classes and you have pass a professional exam, you are awarded a professional certificate to show that you possess superior knowledge in that field.

In Nigeria, having a professional certificate in your CV helps you climb up the promotion chain in your field fast. Whether you are in the civil service or any other industry, these certificates help you attain promotion faster than having just your university degrees.

 

 

1. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

PMP is the most important industry-recognized professional certification for project managers globally. The importance of pmp as a professional certification in Nigeria is hinged on the very fact that it applies to almost all industries. Learn more about PMP certification and where to get PMP training in lagos.

Some Facts About PMP

• Most important certification for project managers
• Applies to almost all sectors
• The median salary for a Project Management Practitioner is $92,000. (According to PMI’s Project Management Salary Survey 7th edition, which polled over 30,000 project managers from 29 different countries)
• PMP training leads to sharp salary hike
• By 2020 there will be 15.7 million new project management jobs created
• The project management industry is set to grow by $6.6 trillion by 2020.

 

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification

The CAPM certification is the perfect certification to jump-start your project management career either as a project manager or one thinking of transitioning to the field. It is a professional certification in Nigeria that applies to almost all industries just like PMP.

Some Facts About CAPM

• It is the entry level professional certification for project managers
• It is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Its for Project team members who want more project management experience
• It is for existing project managers who don’t meet PMP prerequisites
• For those aspiring for PMP certification down the line
• About the same median pay with PMP

 

3. Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) Certification

PMI – Professional in business analysis certification is a business analyst professional certification designed primarily for those who work with stakeholders in defining requirements, shaping project outputs, and driving intended business outcomes. It is slightly different from the IIBA business analysis certifications. Learn the importance of PBA certification.

Some Facts About PBA

• It is administered by PMI
• It is a professional certification of critical importance to project and business management
• PMI PBA certification can lead to about 45% hike in your salary according to PMI and Payscale
• Stands you out instantly

4. Associate Professional in Human Resources International (APHRi) Certification

 

The APHRi professional certification in Nigeria is the entry-level professional certificate for HR managers. It is created for young professionals.

 

5. Professional in Human Resources International (PHRi) Certification

The PHRi professional certification is a credential that demonstrates your mastery of generally accepted technical and operational human resources principles independent of geographic region. It is the next level certification after APHRi.

 

6. Senior Professional in Human Resources International (SPHRi) Certification

The SPHRi professional certification for human resources managers demonstrates or showcases your HR leadership and complements local HR practices.

 

7. Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) Certification

The GPHR professional certification validates your expertise of multinational human resources. GPHR is a global, competency-based certification that is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of HR professionals who operates in a global marketplace.

Some Facts About HR Certifications

• The top global HR certification body is Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCi)
• Human Resources (HR) Manager pay after certification is $69,500 as against $60,000 for non-certificate holders
• Human Resources (HR) Administrator pay after certification is $50, 000 as against $43,300 for none certificate holders
• Human Resources (HR) Director pay after certification is $90, 000 as against $80,000 for none certificate holders. See more data on Payscale

 

8. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)Certification

The CBAP professional certification is an international business analyst training created to focus on understanding the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK), acquiring fluency in the terminology of the BABOK, and identifying the tools and techniques that are a part of a Business Analyst’s toolkit.

Some Facts About CBAP Certification

• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is for business analyst
• CBAP is professional certification administered by International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
• CBAP designation holder earns more than non-credential business analyst.
• CBAP certification holders earns an average salary of $90,000 every year according to Indeed.
• CBAP teaches indept Understanding of the principles and practices of business analysis

 

9. PMI- Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Certification

The Project Management Institute – Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), is an international professional certification credential in the Agile community. This professional certification certifies that the holder possesses experience through real-life scenarios using agile approaches. It also indicate that he/she Possess good collaborative skills, and can easily embrace complexity and thrive on rapid response times in challenging project executions.

Some Facts About PMI-ACP Certification

• ACP is offered by Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Agile is mainly for project management
• ACP professional certification average time to is four to six months
• PM – ACP training amongst others equips you with practical techniques for planning, increased adaptability in Agile technologies, and estimating the cost of the project in an Agile way
• Agile holder earn between 82,000 – 133,000 according to payscale and staragile.
• Top 4 organization paying the most salary for PMI-ACP are Accenture, IBM, AT&T Inc, and Accenture Technology Solutions

 

10. Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM CP/SCP) Certification

The Society for Human Resource Management SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credentials establishes certificate holders as a recognized expert in the HR space globally. SHRM certifications demonstrates that the HR professionals are at the very core of leading organizational success in any organization.

The SHRM training also establishes that the HR professional is a technical HR expert and has gained mastery of the application of HR technical and behavioral competencies. SHRM has key benefits that can help stand you out from the crowd.

Some Facts About SHRM Certification

• SHRM CP – SCP is offered by SHRM
• It is global professional cerification for HR professionals
• The CP (Certified professional) is SHRM start HR certification
• The credential can lead to an immediate salary hike

 

 

Professional Certification Preparatory Classes in Nigeria

Because of the financial burden involved in professional certifications, there is a need to be well prepared to enable you to pass your exams at first try. Choosing the right accredited firm to register with will determine whether or not you will succeed seamlessly. Certification Edge is a leading firm in professional certification in Nigeria to help you pass your exam on your first atempt.

 

Other Professional Bodies That Conduct Professional Courses and Exams in Nigeria.

Aside from international professional certifications in Nigeria, there are other organizations that conduct a variety of professional exams in Nigeria: Though their certificate may not get much global recognition, they can help boost your career in Nigeria.

 

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) is the top professional body for accountant in Nigeria. According to ICAN, they are “committed to excellence and in compliance with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) guidelines on specialisation, the Institute has evolved ways of providing adequate technical support to members by creating six Faculties, namely: Audit, Investigations and Forensic Accounting; Taxation and Fiscal Policy Management; Consultancy and Information Technology; Insolvency and Corporate Re-Engineering; Public Finance Management; and Corporate Finance Management. The Faculties bring together experts committed to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge in a particular field and cater for the specialized needs of members of the Institute.”

 

Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM)

CIPM is the professional body for human resources managment in Nigeria. According to CIPM ” The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria was established as an umbrella Association for Practitioners of Personnel Management in 1968 as the Personnel Management Association of Nigeria. In 1973, it was renamed as Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria. Finally, Act No 58 of 1992 chartered the Institute.” The insitute offer various membership levels for her members.

 

Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS)

The chartered institute of stockbrokers is the umbrella body that houses all stock brokers in Nigeria and work to protect and further the interest of professional stock brokers within the country. The CIS head quarters is in Lagos.

 

Certified Institute of Cost Management and Accountants (CICMA)

This body primarily offers education relating to accounting and cost managment in Nigeria. “The Chartered Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (CICMA) is a Nigerian based professional accounting body offering Accounting education and professional qualifications in cost and management accountancy and related subjects, focus on accounting, business and government operations. The head office of the institute is in Kaduna. The institute also has regional offices at Abuja, Kano, Jos and Port Harcourt. As at September 2019, it had 9,800 members working in and outside Nigeria. It also has 6,744 registered students.”

 

Institute of Directors

The IoD was founded on 17 May 1983 it is in charge of promoting good governance practices in Nigerian companies and the Public Sector.The IoD also help to develop professional standard of directorship, and provides best practice guidelines for company directors to perform their duties effectively up to the international standards.

“The Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD Nigeria) is a Professional Institute which promotes directors, develops corporate governance, represents our members to government, enhances the economy for business development and provides services to our membership.

IoD Nigeria will promote good corporate governance in Nigeria by empowering those who are charged with governance duties to effectively and legally discharge those duties;

IoD Nigeria aims to safeguard the integrity and status of directorship as a profession by serving as the professional body for directors and through the provision of a professional designation which serves to assess and credit mastery”

 

Pharmacist Council of Nigeria

“The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) is a Federal Government parastatal established by Act 91 of 1992 (Cap P17 LFN 2004) charged with the responsibility for regulating and controlling Pharmacy Education, Practice and Training in all aspects and ramifications. Pursuant to this, the PCN is responsible for the accreditation of training institutions, registration and licensure of all Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Premises (Manufacturing, Importation, Distribution, Wholesale, Retail, Hospital Pharmacies) as well as the issuance of Permit to Pharmacy Technicians and registration and Licensure of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors.”

 

Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)

Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) is the only chartered professional accountancy body in Nigeria empowered by law to teach as well as examine all its students. Besides, it is the only body having the absolute power to advance the science of accountancy.The Association was formed on 1st January, 1979, incorporated on 28th September, 1983 and was finally chartered by Decree 76 of 1993 on 25th August, 1993. The Association is a truly national accountancy body with education and training programme reflecting the national environment which would meet internationally accepted accounting standards. It was born out of a burden shared by a number of well meaning Nigerians for a home grown and home spun professional body. It sought a thoroughly Nigerian and community based approach to the definition of accountancy standards and practices.

 

Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (CPIN)

“The Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (CPIN) is a national Institute representing the retirement and employee benefit plan administration profession. It was founded with the idea of bringing together professional benefit administrators and other interested parties to encourage greater dialogue, cooperation, and educational opportunities; CPIN’s goal is to improve the quality and efficiency of plan administration.”

 

Nigeria Bar Association

According to NBA “The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is the non-profit, umbrella professional association of all lawyers admitted to the Bar in Nigeria and a member of all statutory bodies that regulate the Nigerian Bar and Bench. The NBA is Nigeria’s foremost and oldest professional membership organisation and Africa’s most influential network of legal practitioners, with over 130,000 lawyers on its roll in 128 active branches across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. It is organised into three practise Sections, eleven Fora, and two Institutes, all supported by one National Secretariat.”

 

Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) the body that is dedicated to enthroning professional excellence in the banking industry in Nigeria.

 

Other Professional Bodies

• Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria
• Nigerian Society of Engineers
• Science Teachers Association of Nigeria
• Strategic Management Centre
• Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
• Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria
• Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers
• Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria
• Nigerian Institute of Management
• Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors
• Nigerian Institute of Town Planners
• Nigerian Medical Association

What is more, the right question for determination is not whether professional certification in Nigeria is worth it. The relevant question is knowing when and which certification to pursue in this dynamic labour market.