Professor Francis Anyim Explores Evolving Workplace Dynamics in UNILAG Inaugural Lecture

Professor Francis Chukwudike Anyim delivered a compelling discourse on workforce management during the ninth (9th) Inaugural Lecture of the 2024/2025 Academic Session at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). His lecture, titled Conceptualisation of Managing People in the Workplace from the Beginning to the Present: Is It Really Relabelling?, examined the historical evolution of employment relations and modern human resource management practices.

Drawing from his extensive experience in academia and industry, Professor Anyim provided insightful analyses on workplace transformations, beginning with the industrial era and trade unions, to the contemporary challenges of human resource management (HRM). He highlighted key shifts in management philosophies, noting how Industrial Relations (IR) transitioned into Personnel Management (PM) in the 1940s before being further redefined in the 1980s as HRM—a discipline that seeks to balance business efficiency with employee welfare.

Professor Anyim discussed the influence of scientific management theories, including Taylorism, which initially focused on productivity but later evolved to incorporate human-centered workplace strategies. He also delved into the ongoing debate between industrial relations and employment relations, emphasizing the shift from collective bargaining to a more individualized approach due to globalization, the rise of knowledge-based industries, and the growing influence of service economies.

A central theme of his lecture was whether these changes signify genuine transformations or merely rebranding of existing ideas. While he did not provide a definitive answer, he suggested that although terminologies evolve, fundamental workforce management challenges remain persistent.

In concluding his lecture, Professor Anyim underscored the importance of treating employees as individuals with emotions and aspirations, advocating for continuous adaptation in HRM strategies to align business goals with human dignity. He urged policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to foster meaningful discourse on the future of workplace management.

The Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, commended the lecture, reaffirming that effective people management is vital for organizational success. She emphasized that prioritizing employees’ well-being is key to ensuring sustainable growth.

Professor Anyim, born on June 18, 1955, in Amaoba-ime, Ikwuano LGA, Abia State, holds a B.Sc. in Sociology from the University of Ibadan and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from UNILAG. He joined UNILAG’s faculty in 2010 and rose through the academic ranks, becoming a professor in October 2021. A Fellow of several professional bodies, he also serves as Chief Examiner for the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

His lecture left attendees with valuable insights into workforce management, serving as a critical reference point for scholars and HR practitioners navigating the evolving world of work.