APPPMON LAUNCHES ABOKI AS NIGERIA’S BOLD ANSWER TO FAILED PROJECTS

 

By Dr Helen Chimezie 

In a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s long-standing challenge of failed and abandoned projects, the Association of Professional Practising Project Managers of Nigeria (APPPMON) has officially launched a new project management framework called ABOKI.

The hybrid unveiling ceremony, which held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Port Harcourt, brought together project management professionals, development experts, members of the media and other key stakeholders.

The ABOKI framework, an acronym that stands for APPPMON Body of Knowledge and Innovation, emphasizes community participation, stakeholder collaboration, and context-specific strategies to ensure that projects not only start, but are successfully completed and sustained.

According to APPPMON, ABOKI is a locally developed framework tailored to suit Nigeria’s unique project environment, with the aim of improving the planning, execution, and sustainability of projects across the country.

In his address, the President/ Chairman of APPPMON Governing Board Eng. Dr. Yomi Ariyo, described the framework as a turning point in Nigeria’s development journey.

“ABOKI is more than a compendium of methodologies. It is a reflection of our collective experiences, cultural nuances, and the dynamic environment in which we operate. It serves as a guiding light for practitioners, offering practical insights and strategies tailored to our local context.

“By integrating global best practices with indigenous wisdom, ABOKI ensures that project managers are equipped to navigate the complexities of our socio-economic landscape effectively,” he said.

The APPPMON President who was represented by the APPPMON Chairman of Arbitration Committee, Dr Situ Gbenga Michael, stated that: “As we unveil ABOKI today, we are not merely presenting a document; we are ushering in a new era of project management in Nigeria. This body of knowledge is designed to be a living document, evolving in tandem with the everchanging demands of our profession. It is our collective responsibility to ensure its continuous improvement, relevance, and applicability.

“To this end, APPPMON is committed to facilitating ongoing training and certification programs, fostering a vibrant community of practice, and engaging with stakeholders across various sectors to promote the adoption and integration of ABOKI into national and organizational project management frameworks.”

He therefore called on all project management professionals, industry leaders, policymakers, and academia to embrace ABOKI as their own. “Let us champion its principles, apply its methodologies, and contribute to its evolution. Together, we can elevate the standards of project delivery in Nigeria, drive sustainable development, and position our nation as a beacon of excellence in the global project management community,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, The APPPMON Chairman of Membership Development Committee, Arc. Peter Honest Dateme, underscored the relevance of the ABOKI framework in today’s national context. “Nigeria, as a nation, is confronted with multifaceted challenges, often referred to as 'wicked problems', that are complex, interdependent, and resistant to straightforward solutions.

“These include infrastructural deficits, healthcare delivery, educational disparities, and economic diversification, among others. Addressing these issues necessitates innovative, adaptive, and context-specific approaches.

“In response to the challenges, the ABOKI framework has been meticulously developed as a comprehensive framework tailored to the Nigerian context. Rooted in the core values of Accountability, Balance, Ownership, Knowledge, and Innovation, ABOKI provides project managers with the methodologies and tools required to navigate and address the intricacies of our national challenges effectively, he opined.

Speaking also, the Chairman of Events Committee, Arc. Haruna Hussaini, who was represented by Arc. Ramota Obagah-Stephen, pointed out that ABOKI is a robust framework that is as applicable to intangible projects as it is to physical constructions.

By integrating its core values, she noted that ABOKI empowers project managers to navigate the complexities inherent in conceptual projects, ensuring they are executed with the same rigor, precision, and excellence.

Dr. Inemi Erete Stephen, the Lead Editor, ABOKI Research Project, and the South-South Zonal Coordinator of APPPMON, gave a detailed presentation on the framework during the event. He explained that ABOKI was the result of extensive research, collaboration, and field engagement across Nigeria.

He remarked that the unveiling of the framework marked more than just a launch, but a declaration that Nigeria will no longer be defined by abandoned projects, cost overruns, or policy disconnects.

“Today, we begin the journey of reimagining what project management means for our nation, our people, and our future,” he declared.

Dr. Stephen, while addressing the question “Why ABOKI, Why Now?”, emphasized the urgent need for a localized solution to Nigeria’s persistent project execution failures. “Many of us will agree that Nigeria is not lacking in ideas or creativity, but what is lacking is execution,” he said. “And behind failed execution lies a deeper, more painful story: a story of systemic challenges, conflicting frameworks, ethical lapses, and imported models not tailored for our environment.”

He noted that ABOKI was born out of a desire to bridge this gap and to provide a framework that truly reflects Nigeria’s realities, practically and ethically rooted in local ownership.

Nemi outlined a strategic plan to advance ABOKI's role in project management by integrating it into training and certification across multiple sectors. The initiative includes launching an interactive ABOKI website to serve as a research and collaboration hub, alongside establishing editorial review panels and regional clusters aimed at ensuring continuous content growth.

He also emphasized forging partnerships with MDAs, institutions, and the development community to mainstream the use of ABOKI.

In an inclusive appeal, Nemi invited professionals, including those outside of project management, to contribute their project challenges, lessons learned, and case studies, to foster a robust and dynamic knowledge base that drives project excellence across Nigeria.

The framework will be rolled out through professional training, certification programs, and partnerships with both government and private institutions. APPPMON also disclosed plans to advocate for ABOKI’s adoption in public-sector project execution guidelines.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr Situ Gbenga Michael, emphasized the significance of the new framework. “Aboki is our own book of knowledge in Nigeria,” he said. “It is domesticated to satisfy what is happening in our place. And it is not here to compete, but to complement what is already on ground. So, projects will not be abandoned again in Nigeria, following the ABOKI framework.”

As Nigeria continues its push for infrastructural growth and economic development, the launch of ABOKI signals a major stride toward ensuring that projects deliver real value to citizens and contribute meaningfully to national progress.

 

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