How professional practice of Production And Operations Management began in Nigeria has been meticulously and authoritatively documented in the writings and published works of Dr.Olaniyi Opanuga who founded the Nigerian Institute of Production Management ( NIPM) in 1987.
Dr.Opanuga faced tough challenges in the 1980s convincing most employers of labour in the country that Production and Operations Management was a profession and that formal advanced training and certification was required in Production And Operations Management as a criterion in the recruitment and selection processes of Production Managers and Supervisors.
Post- independent Nigeria witnessed a civil war, a period of economic boom followed by a recession marked by Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and the producer’s market era….the era of shortages of essential commodities when manufacturers felt the lesser need for improved standards of cost, productivity, quality and efficiency. Most times there was no competition. This promoted Professional Production Management myopia and operational indolence.
Nigeria’s industrial policy- focus varied from indigenization and nationalization to indigenous technology promotion, import substitution and utilisation of local raw materials, export promotion and the establishment or strengthening of standards regulating agencies.
The activities of the Nigerian Institute of Production Management- NIPM helped Nigerian Employers, especially manufacturing companies to streamline their operations and increase efficiency in the face of increasing competition. Many manufacturers joined NIPM as Corporate Members and involved the Institute in their Staff Recruitment, Training and Certification.
Dr Opanuga’s “Rationale For Professional Practice of Production And Operations Managemen in Nigeria” – in Volume 8.No.1 (January-June Edition) published in 2008 and other publications are available as a rich learning resource in the Institute’s Research And Publications Unit for the benefit of Members, Researchers, Academics, Consultants, Teachers/Trainers, and Students.
These publications are adjunct to Dr. Opanuga’s papers, lectures and presentations during his industrial visitations to Factories across the country as well in the Universities, Polytechnics, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)Training Workshops and Federal/State Government establishments.
Dr. Opanuga’s regular teachings of Professional Standards and Ethical Values have impacted greatly on performance and productivity in organisations nationwide.
In Production And Operations jobs a lot of risks and hazards are involved.
The need for Safety, Quality, Reliability, Value, Cost Effectiveness, Productivity, Efficiency, Timeliness and other metrics is crucial.
Consumers, employees and the general public are at risk because all Production processes are very sensitive and delicate and they impact both the immediate and remote environments. Human lives are involved in all Production activities.
Products and every process and the embedded operations need to be handled with skill, proficiency and the right attitude to achieve desired results. For instance, poor quality, substandard, unwholesome and fake products are harmful or injurious to health and extreme cases can cause fatalities and deaths. Badly made or maintained products such as food and pharmaceutical products, machinery, equipment and tools are sources of accidents
Little wonder that Production activities are regulated by Governments all over the world- from mining to agriculture, fisheries and forestry, energy( oil & gas , electricity), construction, manufacturing and services- especially on matters relating to product quality, health, safety the environment.
High standards operations need to be maintained to ensure the safety and health of the workers, the protection of the consumers and the entire environment and the ecosystem.
Professional Certification and Membership of the Institute is not only mandatory for all persons involved in the practice of Production And Operations Management in the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also a necessity for effective and efficient performance, which organisations need to achieve competitiveness, profitability, sustainability and increasing shareholder value.
