Ha! Risks and mitigation? That word doesn't exist in the dictionary But gradually though with the likes of you and I, project management will go to the next level here in Nigeria and ultimately Africa.

But I wounder though, that the multinational companies are not sticking to their guns?

Well, very lovely thread.

Let me first share my views by answering Aare1. Project Management is applicable in all industry, be it Construction, IT, Banking, Legal. Hence my advise to you is to do it. You never know where your next turn might be in life, or where the economy is taking us.

Secondly, I tried reading through the thread, or rather should I say browsing through and really my general feel is most people do not understand the difference between PMP and PRINCE2. (I am well aware that this thread is not for highlighting the differences but the challenges of PM's in Nigeria which I will come to very shortly, just bear with me). PMP is the certification received, whilst really it is PMBOK. Like the full meaning says, its a book of knowledge. Can be attributed to an "A-Z" - if you familiar with the UK system. And what A-Z is there for really is a guide that tells you different ways of arriving at your destination. Through your own knowledge and experience you tend to choose the quickest way of getting to your destination. For example, say you need to travel from Hertfordshire to East Croydon, and the A-Z suggests you take inner London route. Because you have done the journey before, you know that at that time of the day, its best to take the A-13, as there will be no traffic! So really PMBOK does not tell you how to get things done, its guides you.

PRINCE2 on the other hand is a methodology. Notice the word methodology! It tells you how to get things done with lots of standards and templates!. It tells you this is the way to do it! No contemplating, nothing!

Now considering this though, they both really COMPLEMENTS each other. If you really want to be serious in this profession, there is nothing wrong with studying both, and applying both knowledge in your day to day activities.

Now to challenges! Well I have had a good opportunity to work in the UK as a Project Manager for over 6 years. Started career really as a project support officer, and now can boldly say a Programme Manager.

But upon coming back home now, Project Management is a whole different kettle of fish - trust me.

The challenges I have experienced includes:

1) COMMUNICATION - especially with major stakeholders/ key decision makers
2) BUDGETING - now, you can plan and budget x,y,z for your project - the best ever, only for someone to come in at the end stage saying there is another contractor he/she would rather use regardless of cost. Now bear in mind that they were carried along throughout the planning stage!
3) In continuation of budgeting, my first project in Nigeria was really an eye opener. Imagine, used to motivating my team to work using different approach but never the money approach, and suddenly my team is refusing to work without me paying them something first! HA!!!
4) many many other challenges that will be shared soon.

In conclusion, project management in Nigeria is not the clear cut way abroad. You need to be able to adapt and manuever easily. If you ever try and attempt to manage projects the way it is written in the books here, trust me you ain't gonna go too far.