by Uchechukwu Okoroafor, Abuja
The recent revelations made by Dr. Mrs. Victoria Okoronkwo, founder and president of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), at a press conference have sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s professional and academic communities. The disgraceful attempts by a syndicate of former officials and their co-conspirators to hijack the Institute and exploit its reputation for personal gain represent not only a betrayal of public trust but also a criminal assault on the foundations of professionalism in Nigeria.
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At the heart of this crisis lies a deeply troubling narrative: individuals who were once entrusted with leading a professional body have turned around to wage a campaign of fraud, impersonation, and institutional sabotage. Chief among these is Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, a former Registrar brought into the Institute in good faith and with great expectations. That faith was grossly misplaced. Instead of elevating the Institute, he orchestrated a plot to run parallel operations, disseminate fake certificates, and mislead the Nigerian public.
The names associated with this disgraceful scheme—Mr. Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, Jamilu Isa Yankwashi, Hajara Yusuf, and Chief Emmanuel Olabode Afolayan—should from this day forward be synonymous with institutional fraud. Their actions have eroded the credibility of a vital professional body at a time when Nigeria needs more, not fewer, pillars of integrity and competence.
The judiciary has not been silent on this matter. As far back as December 15, 2020, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory ruled decisively in SUIT NO: CV/125/19 to remove Mr. Mbadiwe from his post. A subsequent letter from the Governing Council reaffirmed this decision. Yet, in brazen defiance of the court’s ruling, Mbadiwe continued to falsely present himself as Registrar, issuing fake certifications and holding unauthorized inductions.
One of the most alarming developments in this saga is the use of forged identities and fraudulent documentation to intimidate CIPMN’s web hosting providers, an attempt to hijack the Institute’s digital presence. A fake notification letter—titled “NOTIFICATION LETTER ON IMPERSONATION OF GOVERNMENT REGULATORY BODY BY CLIENT”—was issued to malign the Institute’s legitimacy. Such actions are not just deceptive; they are calculated acts of cyber sabotage and should be prosecuted as such.
Even more egregious are the financial crimes linked to this cabal. In what can only be described as an outrageous abuse of public trust, a figure claiming to be the “Sole Administrator” of CIPMN fraudulently requested N1.8 billion in June 2022. Another attempt to loot N150 million followed just two months later. This is theft, plain and simple. It is an insult to every professional who has contributed to the growth of the Institute and a slap in the face to Nigerians who expect accountability in public affairs.
Further insult was added when Mr. Jamilu Isa Yankwashi, whose tenure as Vice President ended on June 15, 2023, declared himself President just two days before the expiration of his term. Not only did he usurp authority without due process, he also registered a parallel and deceptive entity—the Institute of Project, Program and Project Portfolio Management—clearly designed to confuse the public and misrepresent CIPMN.
This situation is an existential threat to the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria. But it is also much more than that. It is a case study in how corruption, left unchecked, can metastasize within our institutions. If professional bodies like CIPMN are not protected, then the very future of professionalism in Nigeria is under siege.
The press conference held by Dr. Okoronkwo was a timely intervention. Her resolve, clarity, and leadership in this matter deserve commendation. She not only exposed the rot but also laid out a comprehensive roadmap for justice and institutional restoration. Her appeal to law enforcement, regulatory bodies, and the courts is both necessary and urgent. This is no longer just an internal dispute; it is a matter of national interest.
We must now ask: where are the arrests? Where are the prosecutions? The evidence is overwhelming—court rulings, fraudulent letters, forged documents, illegal financial requests, unauthorized certifications. The silence of authorities would only embolden other fraudsters looking to exploit professional institutions.
It is imperative that the Nigerian Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the judiciary treat this case with the seriousness it deserves. The full weight of the law must be brought to bear on those who have violated the trust placed in them and compromised a national institution.
We must also call upon professional associations across Nigeria to rise in solidarity with CIPMN. Whether it is the Nigerian Medical Association, the Nigerian Bar Association, or the Nigerian Society of Engineers—this is a collective battle for the soul of professionalism in our country. If one institute can be hijacked so brazenly, others may follow.
The media has a key role to play. It must not let this issue be buried under the weight of bureaucracy or political convenience. Investigative journalism must shine a light on the perpetrators and keep the public informed. Transparency is the best disinfectant for corruption.
Finally, we must not forget the thousands of legitimate members and aspiring professionals who have put their faith in CIPMN. They deserve better. They deserve an institute that stands tall on the pillars of transparency, ethics, and excellence. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria emerges from this crisis stronger, cleaner, and more committed to its founding ideals.
This editorial is not just a condemnation—it is a rallying cry. The time for silence is over. The time for justice is now.