Why administrative, executive roles also need professionalism

In nearly every professional field, there’s a clear path from the classroom to the boardroom. Accountants earn their degrees in finance, engineers study engineering, and lawyers are schooled in jurisprudence.

The qualifications are specific, the training is rigorous, and the professional body overseeing it all ensures a ‘round peg’ is placed in a ‘round hole’. Yet, when we look at the crucial administrative and executive roles that form the backbone of any organisation, this clear-cut path seems to vanish.

These positions responsible for managing people, leading teams, and overseeing operations are often seen as ‘gbogboero’, a Yoruba term meaning ‘anyone can come in’. This widespread belief has led to a fascinating and, at times, chaotic mix of professionals in leadership.

You’ll find political scientists, religious studies graduates, linguists, and people from almost every academic discipline occupying these seats. While a diverse range of perspectives can be valuable, the lack of a specialised educational foundation poses a significant challenge.

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The misalignment: A jack of all trades, master of none?

Imagine a hospital where the lead surgeon didn’t study medicine or an architectural firm where the head of design has no background in architecture. Such a scenario is unthinkable.

So why do we accept it in the very roles tasked with managing human capital, the most valuable asset of any organisation? The skills required for effective leadership and administration including conflict resolution, organisational behaviour, talent management, and strategic planning, are not innate. They are learned.

When these roles are filled by individuals without a specific educational background in human resources or related fields, we risk a fundamental misalignment. A brilliant engineer may be a poor team leader, and a gifted accountant might lack the people skills necessary to foster a positive work environment. This isn’t a criticism of their intelligence or ability but rather an acknowledgement that managing people is a distinct, specialised skill set.

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A call for professionalisation

 This ‘gbogboero’ approach has led to a significant gap in professional competence.

The solution is not to exclude individuals from other disciplines but to professionalise the administrative and executive cadre by requiring a specific educational foundation. The most logical and effective discipline for this foundation is human resources management.

The study of human resources provides a comprehensive understanding of organisational development, labour relations, employee training and development, and performance management. A background in this field equips future leaders with the tools to navigate the complexities of managing a modern workforce effectively.

The way forward: A partnership with CIPM

For this to become a reality in Nigeria, we need a concerted effort to establish and enforce these new standards. The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), the body legally responsible for regulating the practice of human resources in the country, is perfectly positioned to lead this change.

CIPM should collaborate with the government and corporate sector to create a framework that makes a degree or a professional qualification in human resources a prerequisite for all administrative and executive roles.

Just as you must pass the bar to practise law or sit for professional exams to be a chartered accountant, a similar standard should be set for those who lead and manage our workforce.

By professionalising these critical roles, we can ensure that our organisations are not just managed by anyone, but by qualified professionals who have the specific knowledge and skills required to lead people effectively.

This move would not only elevate the standard of leadership but also contribute to a more efficient, harmonious, and productive workforce, ultimately benefiting the entire economy.

Osahon Omole, MCIPM, ACIS, A.CIoD,  is a chartered secretary in Auchi Polytechnic