By Rukayat Moisemhe
The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) has urged professional managers to embrace interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration as a critical driver of innovation and national development.
The call was made on Tuesday in Lagos during the institute’s 2026 membership induction and upgrading ceremony, where no fewer than 700 individuals were admitted into graduate, associate and full membership cadres.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was themed, “Building Bridges Across Sectors: The Power of Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Professional Management.”
In her keynote address, the Team Lead, Operations at WC Digital Academy, Mrs Olubukola Ige, underscored the growing relevance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling complex socio-economic challenges.
Ige, a fellow of the institute, noted that modern management practice demands that professionals move beyond traditional silos and adopt more integrated approaches.
She identified three models of collaboration—multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary—each reflecting increasing levels of integration across sectors.
According to her, effective collaboration fosters innovation, enhances decision-making, strengthens institutional performance and builds public trust.
She, however, highlighted key barriers to collaboration, including sectoral silos, regulatory bottlenecks, resource constraints and the absence of a shared professional language.
To address these challenges, Ige recommended the adoption of shared performance frameworks, cross-sector training initiatives and stronger public-private partnerships, supported by development finance institutions.
She also urged the newly inducted members to leverage their professional networks to drive collaboration across industries, academia, government and civil society.
“Use your membership as a platform to build connections and drive impact, while mentoring the next generation of professionals,” she said.
Ige further emphasised the need for managers to prioritise national outcomes over narrow sectoral interests and to contribute actively to policy dialogue and institutional reforms.
In his remarks, the President of the institute, retired Commodore Abimbola Ayuba, charged the new members to uphold ethics, professionalism and national interest in the discharge of their duties.
Ayuba described membership of the institute as a call to service, responsibility and unwavering commitment to both the profession and the nation.
He said certified professional managers must discharge their responsibilities with the highest standards of competence and integrity, always subordinating personal interests to corporate and collective goals.
“During the course of your daily responsibilities, you will encounter complex situations that demand difficult choices.
“In such moments, let your decisions be guided by the ethical principles and professional standards of the institute.
“In line with the NIM code of conduct, you are enjoined to put service above self at all times and uphold the values of selflessness, fairness, efficiency, accountability, transparency, probity and integrity,” he said.(NAN)
Edited by Chinyere Joel- Nwokeoma
