Here are the top 20 Professional bodies that conduct professional courses and exams in Nigeria. Ranked based on Popularity, Activeness, Recent Events, Partners and Students Feedback.

1. Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (website: www.icanig.org/new)

About ICAN

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) was established by Act of Parliament No. 15 of 1965 to:

(i) determine what standards of knowledge and skill are to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the accountancy profession and to raise those standards from time to time as circumstances may permit;

(ii) secure in accordance with the provision of the Act, the establishment and maintenance of the registers of fellows, associates and registered accountants entitled to practice as accountants and auditors and to publish from time to time a list of those persons;

(iii) perform, through the Council of the Institute, all other functions conferred on it by the Act. As the foremost professional accounting body in the West African sub-region, in 1982, ICAN initiated and contributed significantly to the formation of the Association of Accounting Bodies in West Africa (ABWA). In fulfilling it mission, the Institute has over the years certified 38,000 Chartered Accountants who are engaged in value creation in various sectors of the economy. Apart from being in professional practice, ICAN members are engaged in the three tiers of public service as well as the private sector...Read More...

2. Institute of Arts Management & Professionals Nigeria (www.iamps.edu.ng/)

About IAMPS

It’s my pleasure to commend the professional services of the Institute of Arts Management and Professional Studies (IAMPS) approved by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Abuja, Nigeria and Established under the Federal Republic of Nigeria CAM Act 1990, with No. RC1329612

The Institute’s objectives are to:

Maintain and enhance the dignity, prestige and status of the profession.
Uphold, regulate and control the integrity and professional conduct and to preserve the independence of Arts Management Professional.
Promote the skill, efficiency, service and responsibility of the profession.
Establish and maintain a high standard of education and knowledge.
Represent the views of the profession and to promote the common interest of its members.
Co-operate, liaise with or make representations to bodies or persons.
Provide accredited training services, conduct qualifying examinations and/or assessment.
Establish, promote and/or Administer Management Programmes, Training Workshop, Seminars, Symposium.
To contribute to the development of new methodologies and technologies applied to the internationalization of Arts Management and training in order to improve Academic values.
To inject professionalism in the field of Arts management and Professional studies.
To produce focused effective and efficient graduates.

3. Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (website: www.cibng.org/)

The most significant landmark in the Institute’s history is the attainment of a Chartered Status, achieved on May 18th, 1990 by the Federal Government Act No. 12 of 1990. Published in official gazette No. 27 of May 18, 1990, the Decree gives backing to the Institute to control entry into the banking profession set standards for bankers to comply with and maintain professional ethics through sanctions of erring members.



The objectives of the Institute include:
To be Africa’s foremost and most influential professional body in the provision of capacity building in the banking and finance industry.

To broaden value-add and relevance and therefore membership base.
To deliver through technologies, distinctive and excellent banking and finance professional certification; accreditation; and continuous professional development required for competence building.
To support and assist members’ lifelong education and development needs throughout their entire career.
To continue to provide leadership on research and intellectual discourse on emerging trends in banking and finance sectors and regulations in Africa.
To continually promote the institutional frameworks for supporting and maintaining the relevance of ethics and professionalism in the banking and finance industry in particular and supporting the Government in creating a corruption-free society while placing special emphasis on internationally acceptable standards of best practice.
To focus on attaining sustainable learning and professional development through creative alliances and partners with regulators, operators and other relevant agencies and service providers for mutual benefits.
To make the Institute financially independent by ensuring that there is a balance in CIBN’s funding sources.
Development of staff – improve people management practices through a competitive compensation structure and staff capacity building.

4. Nigeria Bar Association (website: www.www.nigerianbar.org.ng)

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is a professional, non-profit, umbrella association which is comprised of all lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar.

It is engaged in the promotion and protection of Human Rights, the Rule of Law, and good governance in Nigeria. It has observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, and a working partnership with many National and International non-governmental organizations concerned with Human Rights, the Rule of Law, and Good Governance in Nigeria and in Africa.

INSTITUTIONAL CORE OBJECTIVES
• Maintenance and defense of the integrity and independence of the Bar and the Judiciary
• Promote timely and affordable access to Justice
• Promote and support law reform initiatives
• Promote and protect the principles of the Rule of Law and respect for Human Rights
• Promote and advance quality and functional Legal Education, Continuing Legal Education, Advocacy and Progressive Jurisprudence
• Maintenance of the highest standards of professional conduct, etiquette and discipline among lawyers.
• Promote networking opportunities among the members of the Association, International Organisations, as well as associations from other countries.
• Promote the welfare, security, economic, and professional advancement of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria.
• Create and maintain an Endowment fund for the proper observance and discharge of any of these aims.

5. Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (website: www.agpmpn.org/)

Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) is the umbrella organization for all medical and dental doctors in private practice either as owners or employees. Although the private medical practice started in 1909, a formal Association of Private Practitioners was formed about 1921 under the name Association of General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria.

Later on, in the late 1980s, the name of the Association was changed to the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, to address the concerns of members who are specialists. Professional bodies in Nigeria

6. Nigerian Society of Engineers (website: www.nse.org.ng)

The Nigerian Society of Engineers is the umbrella organization for the Engineering Profession in Nigeria. Society looks after the professional needs of members through well-structured programs and regular interactions among the different cadre of membership, enhancing the high professional standard and ethical practices.

It was incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital in 1967. The original Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended on 1st December 1998. Like some of its counterparts in other professions, the Society has distinguished itself through progressive and imaginative programs to become the avenue for the professional development of its members as well as technological development of the country.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY
The objective of the Society is to promote the advancement of engineering education, research, and practice in all its ramifications. Naturally, this is with a view to maintaining and enhancing the professional capabilities of its members so as to better equip them to fulfill the needs of the profession for the good of the public and the nation of large.
The objects for which the Society is established are:
To provide a central organisation for engineers in Nigeria and to generally to such things as may for time to time be necessary to maintain a strict standard or professional ethics among its members and to advance the interest of the engineering profession in Nigeria.
To promote, protect, encourage and maintain a high standard of engineering study and practice and to encourage greater efficiency therein.
To present to the Government of Nigeria the views of the Society on any subject of concern or interest to engineers in Nigeria and if considered advisable to join with any other bodies in submitting such representation.
To represent to any other individual or bodies or organisation the views of the society on any subject of concern or interest to engineers in Nigeria or any appropriate subject on which the views of the Society may be invited.
To provide a body to which the Government or other official or unofficial authority or organisation in Nigeria can have recourse for advice, assistance or the expression of views on any subjects of concern or interest to engineers in Nigeria.
To facilitate the development and acquisition of technology by conducting visits to places of engineering interest, reading technical papers, holding meetings, conferences, publishing books journals and periodicals on engineering matters.
To subscribe or guarantee or otherwise use monies of the Society for charitable or benevolent objects or scholarships on bursaries or for any exhibitions for any public general or useful objects.
To provide for the training and examination of students in engineering as well as the continuing professional update and development of its members.

7. Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (website: www.citn.org)

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria started on February 4, 1982 as Association of Tax Administrators and Practitioners. Thereafter, it transformed into Nigeria Institute of Taxation, which was formally launched on February 21, 1982, and statutorily recognized on May 6, 1987, as a company Limited by Guarantee.



The Institute was chartered by the Federal Government of Nigeria by the enabling Act No. 76 of 1992 (now CITN Act, CAP C10, Vol. 2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) and was charged with the responsibility, among others, of determining what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become a professional Tax Practitioner or Administrator.

The aims and objectives of the Institute as laid down in its charter (Decree 76 of 1992) among others are:-

To determine what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become registered members of the taxation profession.
To raise, maintain and regulate the standard of taxation practice amongst its members.
To promote professional ethics and efficiency in tax administration and practice.
To encourage, promote and co-ordinate research for the advancement of taxation practice and administration in Nigeria.

8. Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (website: www.niesv.org)

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) was founded in 1969 by the few qualified General Practice Chartered Surveyors who were trained mainly in the United Kingdom. The Institution was granted government recognition by the enactment of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers (Registration Act)” Decree No. 24 of 1975.
The first Annual Conference was held at Ibadan in 1969. The Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) is empowered to regulate and control the practice of the profession of Estate Surveying and Valuation in the country. The Institution is affiliated to the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE), International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria(APBN) AND The International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC).

The objectives of the Institution as provided in Chapter 1 (i) of the Constitution of the Institution are as follows:-
To establish a high and reputable standard of professional conduct and practice in the landed profession throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
To secure and improve the technical knowledge which constitutes land economy including Valuation or Appraisal of Real Estate and such fixtures and fittings thereto including plant and machinery; Land Management and Development Investment and Town Planning and to facilitate the acquisition of such knowledge by working in close collaboration with Universities, Institutions of Higher learning and other professional bodies;
To promote the general interests of the profession and to maintain and extend its usefulness for the public good by advising members of the public. Government departments, Statutory Bodies, Local Governments, Association, Institutions and such like bodies on all matters coming within the scope of the profession and to initiate and consider any legislation relevant to the objects of the Institution;
To endeavor to acquaint the public with the role of the Estate of the Surveyor and valuer in the economic development of the country…Read More…

9. Chartered Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (website: www.nimn.com.ng)

The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) is the body for professionals engaged in marketing and related fields as marketing practitioners, sales and marketing directors, customer relationship managers, media planners, channel developers, creative directors, value builders, trade marketing managers, commercial managers/directors, brand builders, entrepreneurs, enterprise builders, corporate and institutional governors, transformers, marketing and mass communication experts, general managers, and Chief Executive Officers.

The Institute was established by Act of the National Assembly no. 25 0f 2003 with a chartered status conferred on it, the responsibility to regulate and standardize marketing professional practice through the conduct of comprehensive professional examinations and certifications, training, retraining, and consultancy services geared towards ensuring that members adopt a professional approach to marketing and other related areas of marketing activities.

The broad mandate of the Institute is to achieve inter alia, the following objectives:–

» To promote and develop the art and science of marketing to aid formal learning and rational assessment of members.

» To promote marketing research, education, and training standards.

» To establish and sustain professional codes of practice in marketing.

» To set standards of academic development and examinations for students and practitioners at all levels of marketing and related fields.

» To organize courses and training programs for individuals to achieve professional development and advancement.

» To develop programs of educational support and forum for the exchange of ideas relating to the promotion and advancement of the practice of marketing.

» Conduct examinations and other forms of assessment for the award of certificates and membership of the Institute.

» To authorize qualified individuals to use the designatory letters denoting their grades of membership.

» To promote and celebrate best practices in marketing through a program of recognition of individuals and corporate organizations that have excelled in the practice of marketing.

» To promote research into the art and practice of marketing and to assist individuals and organizations in disseminating the outcome of such research work.

» To publish study manuals to support individuals preparing for the examinations of the Institute.

» To publish and promote materials in order to keep members apprised of development affecting the practice of marketing education and management.

» To provide information for organizations seeking trained members desirous of employment as well as members seeking employment.

» To set a standard of professional practice through the explicit code of ethics for members of the Institute, monitor compliance and making sure that transgressors are appropriately sanctioned...Read More...

10. Nigerian Medical Association (website: www.nigerianma.org)

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is the professional association and registered for Nigerian doctors and dentists. The NMA has more than 35,000 members from 36 state branches and the branch from the federal capital territory, including those registered in the diaspora. NMA’s membership spans all six major specialties of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Public Health and Laboratory Medicine/Pathology. The NMA was established in 1951 and is located in Abuja with over 30 branch offices throughout Nigeria. Professional bodies in Nigeria


Source: NairaRanking