Frequently asked questions.

Membership spans six tiers, from Associate Member (ACIMSA) for graduates and early-career managers, through Full Member (MCIMSA), Senior Fellow (SFCIMSA), Chartered Fellow (FCIMSA) and Distinguished Fellow (DFCIMSA), to Professorial Fellow (PFCIMSA) for professors, doctorate holders and CEOs. Each tier has its own qualifying criteria based on education and experience. See our Membership page.

Membership is by merit. Applications are vetted and screened by the Board of Fellows against the standards for the chosen tier. It is earned through qualifications, experience and endorsement — never simply purchased.

On admission you may use the post-nominal letters for your tier (for example MCIMSA or FCIMSA) as a recognised mark of certified, ethical competence, for as long as your membership remains current.

Fellow tiers (Senior Fellow and above) are conferred the Grand Sovereign Order of the Universal Star (GSOUS) at induction, in recognition of distinguished standing in the profession.

We confer chartered professional certifications across four consultancy tracks — Management Analysis & Consulting, Strategic Management & Leadership, Operations & Productivity, and Digital Management & Data Science — plus the invitation-only Distinguished Management Sciences Elite (DMSE). Explore them on our Certifications page.

Each certification runs from Foundation to Professional to Advanced Professional, combining examinations with an assessed industry project. Chartered standing is maintained through Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

The five colleges confer chartered scientist designations within an academic discipline (for example CMS, COS, CFMS, CDMS, CHCS), while the certification tracks confer chartered consultant credentials for professional practice. Many members pursue both.

Strategic Management & Leadership; Operations, Supply Chain & Productivity Science; Financial Management & Economic Policy; Digital Management & Data Science; and Human Capital & Organizational Science. Each confers its own chartered designation. See Colleges & Programs.

Yes. Programmes are offered on campus, fully online, or through a hybrid model, so you can study in the format that best fits your career.

The Institute runs three intakes each year: January, May and September.

Each tier carries a one-time induction fee and an annual due, ranging from ₦100,000 induction / ₦30,000 dues for Associate Member up to ₦2,000,000 induction / ₦300,000 dues for Professorial Fellow. The full schedule is on our Membership page.

Induction fees become payable only once your application has been approved and you are offered a place at your tier.

Yes. Certification programme fees are distinct from membership induction fees and dues. Contact our office for the current schedule for your programme of interest.

NCIMSA is directed by a Board of Regents (USA), an African Continental Governing Council (Lagos), the Office of the President & Chancellor, the Senate, and the Council of Fellows. See our Governance page.

The Institute operates a dual-continent model, with a Corporate Registered Office in Austin, Texas and an African Continental Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.

Yes. Governments, corporations and institutions can engage the Institute for capacity building, group membership and collaboration. Reach us via the Contact page.