The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management of Nigeria (CIHRM), Mr. Olufemi Omoyele, has challenged human resource professionals to place people at the centre of technological transformation, urging them to humanise technology while leveraging data to drive organisational growth and improve workplace performance.
Omoyele gave the charge on Thursday at the opening of the two-day 2026 CIHRM National Conference in Abuja, where HR professionals, policymakers and industry leaders gathered to deliberate on the theme: “Shaping the Future of Meaningful Work: HR Imperative.”
Speaking against the backdrop of rapid workplace transformation driven by artificial intelligence, changing workforce expectations and digitalisation, Omoyele said the human resources profession now occupies a strategic position in helping organisations navigate unprecedented changes.
According to him, the global workplace has been reshaped by widening generational differences, with Generation Z redefining the meaning and purpose of work, while Artificial Intelligence continues to automate routine tasks across industries.
He noted that hybrid work arrangements have become mainstream, while employees are increasingly seeking opportunities to upskill and reskill to remain competitive in an evolving labour market.
“The world of work is changing faster than ever, and achieving meaningful work is becoming more complex,” he said.
“Work is now the new pivot for attracting, retaining and enhancing employee performance. Who sits at the centre of these shifts? The HR professional.”
Omoyele stressed that while technology would continue to redefine workplaces, organisations that combine digital innovation with human-centred leadership would enjoy stronger employee engagement, higher productivity and sustainable growth.
In his welcome address, the Registrar of CIHRM, Mr. Abiodun Oni, described the conference as a platform for learning, collaboration and professional networking, bringing together HR practitioners and thought leaders to exchange innovative ideas and examine emerging trends shaping the future of work.
He said the conference theme reflected the growing responsibility of HR professionals to move beyond traditional personnel management and become architects of meaningful work environments.
“Meaningful work is where purpose meets performance. As human resources professionals, we are not just custodians of people policies.
“We are architects of the future workforce and stewards of human potential,” Oni said.
He argued that the future of work would not be determined solely by technological advancement but by the quality of leadership directing its deployment.
According to him, HR professionals have a responsibility to create workplaces where productivity is balanced with purpose, innovation with inclusion, and organisational success with human dignity.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Andrew Adejo, represented by the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Mrs. Ogidi-Paul, said effective human resource management remained a critical driver of national development.
She commended CIHRM for convening the conference, noting that a high-performing public service was indispensable to achieving national development goals.
Ogidi-Paul said recruitment should increasingly be based on competence and alignment with organisational objectives rather than academic credentials alone.
She maintained that human resource management contributes directly to economic growth by developing the knowledge, leadership capacity and values needed to deliver national priorities.
She added that aligning people, technology and incentives with measurable performance outcomes would improve productivity, encourage innovation and strengthen institutional trust, continuity and sustainable national development.
The conference comes at a time when organisations across Nigeria and globally are grappling with the impact of artificial intelligence, automation, talent shortages and shifting employee expectations, issues that have elevated HR from a support function to a strategic driver of organisational resilience and competitiveness.
Michael Olugbode
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