Nigerian Firms Urged to Enhance Workplace Inclusion Metrics

At the 2026 CEO/CHRO/HRD Forum organized by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria in Lagos, human resource leaders emphasized the necessity for Nigerian companies to advance their workplace diversity and inclusion efforts beyond policy statements. Ahmed Gobir, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, stated that inclusion should be treated as a strategic business issue, requiring executive responsibility to create environments where diverse employees can influence decision-making.

He noted that companies with diverse leadership teams are better equipped to drive innovation. Mrs Sunkanmi Oyegbola, Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Office, Lagos State, advocated for assessing diversity initiatives based on tangible outcomes rather than just policies.

Roger Adou, Managing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, stressed the importance of clear policies and accountability in supporting inclusion. He highlighted that diverse teams enhance decision-making by bringing varied perspectives, which is crucial for responding to Nigeria's diverse consumer market.