Dr Angela Ihenacho Attains CIPM’s Highest Fellowship Rank

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, CIPM, has conferred its highest professional grade of Fellow, FCIPM, on seasoned human resource practitioner and retired Permanent Secretary, Dr Lady Angela Elegamonye Ihenacho, at a ceremony in Abuja.

The conferment took place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, during CIPM’s 58th International Conference and Exhibition at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, where Ihenacho was among distinguished professionals elevated to the Fellowship cadre.

The honour crowned a professional journey spanning 26 years in Human Resource Management, public administration and institutional leadership.

The four-day conference, held from September 21 to 24, 2026, with the theme, “Repositioning for Value and Impact,” brought together HR professionals, business leaders and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, showcase best practices and examine the changing world of work.

CIPM is Nigeria’s apex statutory regulatory body for Human Resource Management practice, empowered under Act 58 of 1992 to set professional standards and promote effective people management and organisational development.

Ihenacho holds a Second Class Upper Honours Degree in Sociology and Anthropology and an M.Sc in Industrial and Labour Relations from the University of Benin, obtained in 1985 and 1989 respectively, as well as a Ph.D in Industrial Sociology from Abia State University, Uturu.

Lady Angela carved her path from scratch, armed with grit, a growth mindset and an unstoppable drive for professional development and public service.

She began her career with the Imo State Civil Service as a Senior Personnel Officer in 1995 and rose through the ranks, serving in different ministries and capacities before attaining the position of Permanent Secretary in 2019.

In 2004, she was seconded to the Local Government System as Director of Administration and General Services, DAGS, where she coordinated human resource and administrative services until mid-2005, while in 2012, she was promoted to Director of Administration and Finance.

As Permanent Secretary, Ihenacho served in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Office of the Head of Service and Ministry of Finance until her retirement in 2021, in addition to serving on various government committees and panels.

Her journey with CIPM began when she joined the Institute as a student member while studying for her M.Sc and subsequently rose through its professional ranks to attain the highest grade of Fellow.

At the Imo State Branch of CIPM, she served at different times as Secretary, Vice Chairman and Chairman, leading the branch from 2020 to 2022, during which it clinched the Second Most Improved State Branch Award.

She also served as Vice Chairman of the Education Committee of CIPM’s National Council between 2023 and 2024, contributing to the Institute’s professional development programmes.

Ihenacho is also a Fellow of the Corporate Administration Institute of Nigeria, FCAI.

In the religious sector, she has served as Recording and Corresponding Secretary of the Ladies Auxiliary 350, Knights of St John International; Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council of St Mark’s Catholic Parish, New Owerri; and Vice President of St Mark’s Catholic Women Organisation, CWO.

She is also a Jerusalem Pilgrim and Justice of the Peace, while her post-retirement public service includes membership of the Ihiagwa Customary Court, where she was reappointed for a second tenure in 2024.

Speaking on the future of the profession, Ihenacho urged young HR practitioners to prepare for the rapidly changing workplace driven by technology and Artificial Intelligence.

She noted that skills and work practices were changing rapidly, with virtual meetings and other technologies reshaping traditional workplaces, stressing the need for HR professionals and organisations to explore new frontiers, upskill and reposition themselves for value and impact.

Reacting to her elevation, Ihenacho expressed gratitude to God for attaining the Institute’s highest professional grade, saying she was honoured to receive the recognition alongside other accomplished professionals and leaders.

“I received this recognition with gratitude to the Almighty God,” she said, while thanking CIPM President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ahmed Ladan Gobir; Vice President, Chidinma Obiejesi; Chairman of the Board of Fellows, Olusegun Mojeed; and members of the Governing Council and Board of Fellows for the honour.

She said the recognition would further inspire her commitment to professional development, mentorship and service to society.

Congratulating Ihenacho on the elevation, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council, Chief Chris Akaraonye, described the honour as well deserved and prayed for greater accomplishments in her professional and public service.

Akaraonye said Ihenacho had served God and humanity in various capacities, urging her to sustain the commitment to service and excellence that had earned her the recognition.