Henry Ifeanyichukwu Mbadiwe
Registrar General
Henry Ifeanyichukwu Mbadiwe is a scion of the illustrious Mbadiwe dynasty of Imo State. His family, known for its long-standing reputation in enterprise, innovation, and service, has consistently been at the forefront of the struggle for national development, unity, and integration in Nigeria. From his uncle, Chief Igwegbe Odum, a wealthy merchant and warrant chief whose exploits inspired the storyline for Omenuko, the first Igbo novel published in 1934 by Pita Nwana, to his uncle, Dr. Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe, the unforgettable “Man of Timber and Calibre” who served Nigeria for forty years in the first and second republics as Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, pioneer Minister of Aviation, Minister of Trade, and Minister of Communications; to another uncle who was one of Nigeria’s earliest millionaires, Chief J. Green Mbadiwe, a Kaduna-based entrepreneur, gold miner, and proprietor of Green’s Hotel, Kaduna, who funded Nigerian nationalism and was the financial backbone of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s West African Pilot newspaper empire, to his cousins, National Assembly member Dr. Eddie Ifeanyi Mbadiwe and Nigeria’s former Envoy to the Republic of Congo, Amb. Greg Ozuomba Mbadiwe (MFR), as well as many other Mbadiwe individuals currently serving this great nation both at home and overseas, the Mbadiwe family is celebrated for their patriotism and nationalism.
After a brief stint studying Public Administration at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Henry proceeded to Binary University in Malaysia, where he earned a diploma in Information Technology and received an award for his research work in the semiconductor industry. Following this, he gained admission to pursue a B.sc. degree in Computer Science at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom. Even at this preliminary stage, his research work in Project Gestation and Management garnered national recognition. Henry continued his academic pursuits by studying for a Master’s in Leadership and Management in Education at the same university. He is currently advancing in his academic journey with a Ph.D. underway.
In 2013, Henry founded Almond Careers (AC), one of the most successful project management training companies in the UK and Nigeria. Almond Group provided services in technology, education, professional services, and the construction industry throughout Europe and West Africa. As an experienced and versatile programme director, Henry has worked on contracts and consultancies, delivering projects worth a cumulative total of over half a billion pounds with various brands and reputable companies such as Ericsson, BBC, Tesco, The Daily Mail Group, Virgin, Sky UK, Audi, Just Eat, and Merkle, to name just a few. An unwavering passion for excellence, high ethical standards, international best practices, and overall success drives him. His strength lies in bringing ideas to life, inspiring others to believe in themselves, and igniting the power within everyone to fulfil their dreams.
Henry Mbadiwe is currently the Registrar General of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers (CIPMN), an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria responsible for regulating project management activities in the country. As the Registrar General/Chief Executive of the CIPMN, Mr. Mbadiwe has spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives designed to advance the professionalisation of project management in Nigeria. Under his administration, CIPMN, in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC), developed the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) – the first synthesised University Curriculum in Project Management for Tertiary Institutions. This initiative ensures that students receive industry-aligned training, preparing them to become competent professionals. Currently, the curriculum is in the advanced stages of implementation at five leading Nigerian universities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has also piloted CIPMN in designing the first Project Management delivery methodology customised and localised for the Nigerian project environment – a project management delivery methodology that takes into account the cultural, political, and ethnic diversities of Nigeria.
Under his leadership, CIPMN is billed to collaborate with the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) to harmonise policies, establish professional standards, and create a legal framework for project delivery in Nigeria. As part of this initiative, all BPP Directors have been trained and certified as Chartered Members of the Institute, significantly enhancing expertise in Nigeria’s procurement sector. Similarly, CIPMN is working alongside all branches of the military to ensure that all military projects are executed using the appropriate methodology and frameworks, and that those involved in delivering these projects are accredited or licensed by CIPMN
Through a landmark partnership with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mr. Mbadiwe, leading CIPMN, is supporting the ITF in launching the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme, the first-ever project management training and licensing initiative designed for artisans. Under his leadership, CIPMN has certified and licensed over 1,000 project managers, with a strategic goal of licensing 5,000 by 2026. This initiative aims to ensure that only qualified professionals oversee projects across Nigeria.
Recognising the evolving landscape in project management, Mr. Mbadiwe has guided CIPMN in championing the integration of digital technologies. He has organised training programmes to equip project managers with digital skills, emphasising the significance of technology-driven strategies for effective project delivery. He has also led the complete digitalisation of the CIPMN member registration and examination platforms to uphold professional standards, streamline human involvement in mundane tasks, and activate AI-powered algorithms in designing the examination processes for its members. Furthermore, he has implemented regulations requiring that only licensed CIPMN members can lead project management activities in Nigeria. This initiative ensures accountability and excellence in project execution.
Once again, CIPMN, under Mr. Mbadiwe’s leadership, has developed a policy for accrediting companies in both the public and private sectors that provide project management services in the country, utilising bronze, silver, and gold standards of excellence in project performance. This framework is being employed to accredit companies in Nigeria that execute projects using the appropriate methodologies and complete them on time and within budget. Similarly, he has guided CIPMN in initiating a comprehensive enforcement drive to compel compliance with the CIPMN Act and to ensure that both local and multinational organisations involved in project management education in Nigeria are accredited or licensed, thereby harmonising project management learning across the country. Meanwhile, CIPMN, under his leadership, is also engaging in discussions with international partners and accrediting bodies to ensure that CIPMN certificates and licences are recognised beyond Nigeria and outside the African continent.
Mr. Mbadiwe’s leadership continues to shape the future of project management in Nigeria by bridging the gap between theory and practice, fostering economic growth, and empowering individuals at every level—from artisans to university students to seasoned professionals. His work embodies a passion for education, capacity building, and national development, cementing his position as a transformative leader in the field of project management.
His hobbies include debating, playing strategy games, and solving puzzles. He is married with children.