List of Professional Bodies in Nigeria (Exams, Functions & Certifications)

Professional bodies in Nigeria play a critical role in regulating careers, conducting professional exams, awarding certifications, and maintaining standards across various industries.

If you are searching for a complete list of professional bodies in Nigeria, this guide covers:

• Over 50 professional bodies
• Professional exams in Nigeria
• Top 10 professional bodies
• Accounting, engineering, IT, medical, and management bodies
• Why professional certifications matter for jobs and scholarships

What Are Professional Bodies in Nigeria?

Professional bodies are officially recognized organizations responsible for:

• Setting professional standards
• Conducting professional exams
• Awarding certifications and licenses
• Regulating professional practice
• Promoting ethics and continuous development

Membership or certification from these bodies often improves employability, promotion prospects, and scholarship eligibility.

Why Professional Certifications Matter in Nigeria

Having a professional certificate can:

• Strengthen your CV beyond BSc or HND
• Increase chances of promotion in civil service
• Improve job opportunities in private sector
• Boost eligibility for scholarships like PTDF, NDDC, Shell, NLNG
• Provide international recognition in some fields

Many employers prefer candidates with professional certifications over degree-only holders.

Top 10 Professional Bodies in Nigeria

These are among the most recognized and influential professional bodies:

1. Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
2. Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)
3. Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)
4. Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM)
5. Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
6. Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
7. Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)
8. Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN)
9. Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM)
10. Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)

List of Professional Bodies in Nigeria (By Category)

1. Accounting, Finance & Economics Professional Bodies

• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
• Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)
• Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN)
• Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)
• Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS)
• Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN)
• Institute of Forensic Accountants of Nigeria
• Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria
• Institute of Investment Management & Research
• Money Market Association of Nigeria

2. Engineering, Construction & Built Environment

• Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)
• Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
• Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers
• Nigerian Institute of Architects
• Nigerian Institute of Building
• Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
• Nigerian Institute of Town Planners
• Pipeline Professionals’ Association of Nigeria
• Society of Construction Industry Arbitrators of Nigeria

3. Medical, Health & Pharmaceutical Bodies

• Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
• Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)
• Medical & Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria
• Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN)
• Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN)
• Association of General & Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria
• West African College of Physicians

4. Law, Governance & Administration

• Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
• Centre for Law and Development
• Institute of Directors (IoD Nigeria)
• Chartered Institute of Administration
• Institute of Registered Administrative Managers of Nigeria
• Institute of Professional Recruitment Consultants

5. Management, HR & Business

• Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM)
• Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM)
• Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria
• Strategic Management Centre
• Institute of Business Development
• Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
• Chartered Institute of Commerce of Nigeria

6. ICT & Computer Professional Bodies in Nigeria

(For students searching “20 computer professional bodies in Nigeria”)

• Nigeria Computer Society (NCS)
• Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN)
• Institute of Data Processing Management of Nigeria
• Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN)
• Institute of Information Management
• Institute of Cyber Security Professionals of Nigeria
• Oracle Certification Body
• Cisco Networking Academy
• Microsoft Certified Professionals
• CompTIA
• SAP Certification
• Red Hat Certification
• LPI (Linux Professional Institute)

7. Education, Media & Communication

• National Teachers’ Institute
• Science Teachers Association of Nigeria
• Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
• Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON)
• Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria
• Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria

💡 Related article: Top 5 Professional Certifications in Nigeria That Guarantee a Salary Raise

List of Professional Exams in Nigeria

Professional exams are conducted by recognized bodies to certify competence.

Popular Professional Exams in Nigeria

• ICAN Professional Exams
• ANAN Professional Exams
• CIBN Banking Exams
• CITN Taxation Exams
• CIPM HR Certification
• COREN Engineering Certification
• NBA Bar Exams
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers Exams

ICT & International Professional Exams Nigerians Take

• Cisco (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE)
• CompTIA (A+, Network+, Security+)
• Oracle Certifications
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• ITIL Certification
• Red Hat Certified Engineer

What Are the 5 Major Examination Bodies in Nigeria?

1. Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
2. Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)
3. Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)
4. Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM)
5. Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)

Professional Bodies and Scholarship Advantage

Holding certifications from recognized professional bodies can:

• Strengthen PTDF, NDDC, Shell, Chevron, NLNG applications
• Improve postgraduate admission chances
• Demonstrate professional commitment and leadership
• Increase global mobility

💡 Related article: Top 5 Professional Certifications in Nigeria That Guarantee a Salary Raise

FAQs

Who are the professional bodies in Nigeria?

Professional bodies are organizations that regulate professions such as accounting, engineering, medicine, law, ICT, management, and finance through certification and licensing.

What are the top professional courses in Nigeria?

Some top professional courses include:

• ICAN (Accounting)
• COREN (Engineering)
• CIPM (Human Resources)
• PMP (Project Management)
• CFA (Finance)

Is professional certification better than a degree?

A degree provides academic foundation, while professional certification proves practical competence. Both work best together.