How Project Management transformed my career
How Project Management Transformed My Career. In 2005, I had freshly returned to Nigeria after training as a network engineer at the United Kingdom Telecoms Academy, I received an invitation to work with the new management team at MTEL (the organization where I had previously worked as an intern five years prior). Though initially focused on telecom engineering, I transitioned into project management upon joining the Project Implementation Unit of the GSM Operations Department. It was a field I knew little about initially but soon embraced, seeking out formal training and certifications to deepen my expertise. In 2006, my organization sent me to the United Arab Emirate for my first formal project management training, which proved to be enlightening. Still hungry for further knowledge in this newfound passion, I pursued another self-funded training and certification program in the United Kingdom, earning my first project management certification. Upon returning to Nigeria, I became the sole certified project practitioner within my organization, granting me access to pivotal decision-making rooms where strategies and key projects were discussed. However, I noticed a common misconception wherever I was identified as a project manager: it was perceived merely as a position, not a profession. This realization spurred me to take an action, leading me to conceive the idea of organizing Nigeria’s first-ever national project management conference – ProMaCon in September 2009 and sustaining for a decade (a story for another day). In 2010, I was recognized by PMI Nigeria Chapter for the “Most outstanding contribution to project management”. Subsequently, I later served as the Vice President, Outreach of the Chapter from 2011 to 2012. Serving at the Project Management Institute hashtag#PMI was a privilege and an experience that shaped me as a leader. Fast forward, 15 years after, I have pivoted from a telecoms network engineer and project manager to a management and technology consultant leading organizational and digital transformations for government, multinationals and development partners. At this year’s PMI Global Summit, I had the privilege of being honored with the prestigious “PMI Eric Jennet Person of the Year” for outstanding contributions to the project management profession, its practice at an international level through leadership, technical project management, and strategic and business management acumen. All thanks to the singular decision to pursue a career in project management when it wasn’t seen as a profession. Project management is not just a profession, it’s a life skill, just like swimming. In the next few days, I will be sharing details of my some initiatives (POTY initiatives) aimed at developing people and the practice in general. Stay tuned. Happy International Project Management Day! TABPMI Person of the Year
Honoured and Humbled: A night of surpise and Gratitude
Honored & Humbled: A Night of Surprises and Gratitude. Arriving back in Nigeria to celebrate iCentra’s 15th anniversary, I had no idea I was set up for one of the most profound surprises of my life—a surprise dinner to honor me and celebrate the Project Management Institute Person of the Year Award. The event took place on Tuesday, October 22nd, at the Yar’Adua Center, organized by dear friends, family, colleagues, and so many incredible people from across my journey. It was overwhelming and deeply humbling to be surrounded by those who have been such an essential part of my life: family, friends, mentors, PMI Nigeria Chapter members, clients, my iCentra colleagues past and present, board members, LeadPreneur family, and other communities who have shared in the vision and milestones along the way. Some even traveled from all parts of Nigeria to be there. What touched me the most was realizing that every detail of this celebration was organized behind my back, with each person contributing their money, time, ideas, and love to make it happen. The highlight of the night was a moving documentary about my journey—an honest, sometimes surprising reflection featuring people from every chapter of my life and career. Seeing myself through their eyes, with all the different perspectives they shared, left me at a loss for words. Thank you to everyone who came together to create this moment and to everyone who has been part of this journey. It truly takes a village to raise a child: I am community-made. I am humbled, grateful, and more motivated than ever to continue on this path of transformation and impact. TAB hashtag#PMI hashtag#PersonOfTheYear hashtag#Gratitude hashtag#Transformation
it takes a village
It Takes a Village In Africa, we often say that, “it takes a village to raise a child.” This saying is particularly true in my case, as I am community-made. In the truest sense, no one is truly self-made. Success, at its core, is a collective effort. This award is not mine alone—it belongs to the many communities that shaped and supported me. First, I would like to thank my family for their support, thank you for allowing me to thrive. To the individuals and organizations that have supported me throughout the past two decades of my journey in developing and advancing the project management profession—thank you for your unwavering belief in my vision. A special thanks to the giants whose shoulders I have stood on, whose collaboration helped birth the hashtag#ProMaCon initiative (15 years ago), which transformed the trajectory of project management across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. I am also deeply grateful to the various communities that have played pivotal roles in my growth, especially Project Management Institute where I’ve had the privilege of being a member since 2007, serving on the board, and receiving my first award in 2010 for the “Most Outstanding Contribution to Project Management in Nigeria”. Your continued support has been invaluable. To the nominating team and judging committee who found me worthy of this prestigious honor, I am profoundly grateful. I also want to recognize the young, aspiring professionals striving to succeed in their careers. I see you. I can relate to your journey. Lastly, to the dedicated and hardworking team at iCentra (Africa and North America), thank you for your commitment to our shared journey of excellence, transforming people and organizations. In commemoration of our 15th anniversary, I am proud to announce hashtag#Project1500—an initiative aimed at empowering 1500 young professionals, especially Africans with Project Management, Agile and Digital Transformation skills. Please stay tuned to my timelines for updates on my various initiatives. God bless! Taopheek A. BABAYEJU (TAB) Thrive. Achieve. Bequeath hashtag#PMI hashtag#ProjectManagement hashtag#PMINigeria hashtag#PMIDallas hashtag#PMIForthWorth hashtag#PMIGlobalSummit hashtag#PersonOfTheYear hashtag#EricJenett hashtag#LeadPreneur hashtag#iCentra hashtag#Nigeria hashtag#Africa hashtag#DFW hashtag#FIRS hashtag#CBN hashtag#NNPC PMI Nigeria Chapter PMI Dallas Chapter Fort Worth PMI Project Management Institute Africa Page Pierre Le Manh LuAnn Piccard, PMP Ike Nwankwo Deji Ishmael Karen Leila Micah, PMP Harry ‘Tomi Davies Dr. Lambert Ofoegbu, PMP, RMP, PMI-CP, PMI-SCP, OPM3, MCIPS, RTP, FCPM. ENGR.MRS ROSEMARY IMHANWA, MBA,PMP,SSGB, LSBB Lee R. Lambert Oluyemi Shonubi Morolake M. Babayeju Essowè ABALO Marie NDJIB, M.Sc, PMP®, SAS®, PSM Niyi Yusuf Kolapo Solesi Ibraheem BABAYEJU Morenikeji Aniye Adegbulugbe Femi. PfMP, PgMP, PMP. Taiwo Abraham, PhD Candidate, PMP, CFA-ESG, GRI-CSP Phil Okoroafor Billy S. Mwape, PMP, DAC, DAVSC
It was 11 years ago, precisely September 2013, after concluding the 5th annual National Project Mangement Conference- ProMaCo in Lagos, Nigeria
It was 11 years ago, precisely September 2013, after concluding the 5th annual National Project Management Conference – ProMaCon in Lagos – Nigeria, Deji Ishmael, the then President of PMI Nigeria Chapter had encouraged me to attend the PMI Global Congress (now Global Summit). Attending the event was a transformative experience, that trip marked my first at such a global platform, where I had the privilege of meeting several global thought leaders in the industry including the legendary James “Jim” Snyder, the late founder of the Project Management Institute (I will share this experience in my subsequent posts). One major lesson from the experience is that in life, you need to deliberately put yourself in the environment of opportunity you seek and meet the right people for your career advancement. As we countdown to this year’s PMIGlobal Summit 2024 in Los Angeles – California, I will be speaking on day one Date: Thursday, 19 September, 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM PDT Session 269: Digital Transformation: The Roles of Agility and Effective Project Portfolio Management I really look forward to another terrific experience, meeting new leaders and professionals. If you attending and would like to connect feel free inbox me. hashtag#PMI hashtag#PMIGlobalSummit hashtag#ProjectManagement
How James Snyder, PMI Founder Influenced My Project Management Career.
How James Snyder, PMI Founder Influenced My Project Management Career. The PMI family and the entire project management community were shocked by the passing of James Snyder, affectionately known as Jim, the last of the founders and pioneering CEO of the Project Management Institute (PMI). For me, his loss felt surreal, as my professional journey wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Jim whom I met at the PMI Global Congress (now PMI Global Summit) in New Orleans in 2013, a moment that remains vivid in my memory. In this short piece and tribute, I recall how project management transformed my career, the great influence of James Snyder, and how Deji Ishmael was instrumental to the journey. And most interestingly, how I ended up as a friend to Jim’s family. Please read below https://lnkd.in/d7p8ycDA Thanks TAB hashtag#projectmanagement hashtag#PMI
