THE INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Building Competitive Advantage for Business Growth

Education and Membership

The Associate qualification This information gives full details for the Associate qualification (ABDI) which is a comprehensive and in-depth qualification for Business Development Professionals. There are many benefits to be gained from studying for and attaining the qualification these include the body of knowledge and understanding gained and its application to practical situations, a demonstrated commitment to learning and development, and enhanced status, confidence and opportunities for career progression. Undertaking the qualification places demands on Students and to help with these the Institute offers a variety of study support which is outlined and can be obtained from the Institute. The Institute also offers a range of other qualifications and certificates for administrators, business development. specialists and those for who Business Development is just part of their work. This provision is listed here and further

details can be obtained from the Institute. Whatever your degree of involvement with business development and your future career goals there should be a qualification to meet your needs. Preamble The Institute of Business Development was established to create, expand and maintain an environment where skills for the practice of Business Development & Strategy are widely spread and valued. The Institute was registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in line with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 1990 as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 21st of April 2006 with RC. 650980. An act for Charter Status have been prepared and approved by both the Federal Ministry of Justice and Education. Membership Membership of the Institute is on an individual basis and is open to those involved with Business development and related areas. When reviewing the services offered, we recognized that there are people who hold some qualifications that are related to BD and are not receiving post-examination support and who would benefit from our Membership. The routes to Membership: There are three levels of Membership: Student

This is an introductory grade which is open to those wishing to study for the Institutes Associates examinations provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Registration as a Student confers no voting rights. There are no designatory initials for Students. Associate Associate grade of Membership is open to those who have completed successfully the Institutes examinations and who have had a period of not less than three years practical experience in Nigeria or Countries recognized by the Institute either in the management or administration of Business development, or in the capacity of an adviser or an analyst, or in any other field which the Council of the Institute considers appropriate. An Associate of the Institute is entitled to use the letters ABDI after his/her name. Once Students have passed the relevant examinations and completed at least three years practical experience, they are eligible to apply for election to Associate grade. Associates can use the initials ABDI after their name and hold voting rights. Fellow Fellow a grade of Membership to which an Associate may seek admission after completing normally a minimum of eight years full time experience in BD work, of which normally a minimum of five years full time experience has been spent in a position with substantial business development accountability and responsibility. At least five years of this experience must have been gained after admission as an Associate and CPD must be completed for three years prior to election. To achieve Fellow Status, Members will have been expected to demonstrate that they have made a worthwhile contribution

to the broader understanding, appreciation and development of business development. A Fellow of the Institute is entitled to use the letters FBDI after his/her name. This is the highest level of Membership and those elected have demonstrated that they have built on their skill and knowledge through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the practical application of that knowledge in their job. Fellows have also involved themselves in the wider BDs arena. Fellows hold voting rights and are entitled to use the initials FBDI after their name. They are also the only grade entitled to be elected to the Institute's Council. People elected as Fellows or Associates Members are only entitled to describe themselves as such whilst they are in active membership. This entitlement ceases if a Member resigns his/her membership. Code of Professional Conduct All Members, Fellows, Associates, and Students, are required to adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct which is published as a separate booklet and also reproduced in the Yearbook, sent to all Members. All Members are advised to read this carefully. Certified Business Development Analyst (CBDA) This is a special programme attached with the study of the Associate examination. The main focus of CBDA is that holders are expected to be specialist in business analysis using the tools and models as enunciated by the Institute. The Professional in Practice

This is a one day course for new Associates looking, through a series of practical workshops and case studies, at areas of professional judgment and ethics. Continuing Professional Development The CPD programme is designed to formally recognize the continued study done by qualified Members of the Institute to ensure that they keep their knowledge up-to-date. Changes in the BDs field mean that the education and experience gained when qualifying need to be constantly updated to ensure that Members maintain their high levels of knowledge. REGISTRATION Student Registration: To undertake the ABDI examinations it is necessary first to complete Student registration. Eligibility The Institute wishes to ensure that those who begin their studies are capable of passing the examinations. For this reason, all applicants must meet requirement A and one of the options in requirement B below:

A. The minimum age for Student Registration is 18 years at the closing date for Student Registration (or such lesser age as may be agreed by Council). B. The following alternatives are the minimum educational qualifications for entry to Studentship: 1 The General Certificate of Education(GCE),West African School Certificate(WASC),Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) or equivalent with Credit in five subjects. The five credits must include English Language and Mathematics.

2 Higher National Certificate (or Diploma) in Business Studies; and or in any field of study which is relevant and will be a lead foundation for the purpose of ABDI examinations. 3 Degree awarded by any University in Nigeria or overseas which must have been approved by the Nigerian University Commission. 4 The full Qualification of relevant professional bodies subject to Council approval. The following conditions also apply to 1, 2 and 3 above: (a) passes which are considered to involve an overlap of syllabus or similarity of subject, whether at the same or different levels, are treated as being in one subject only; (b) passes in craft or technical subjects are not acceptable. C. In addition Council is prepared to give special consideration to applications for Student Registration from older Students working, who do not meet the minimum educational requirements outlined in paragraph B above. Such applications will be considered in the light of: the applicants age his/her working experience an employers reference.

It is very unlikely that Council will approve any applications under this category from persons with less than five years working experience and who are not at least 23 years of age irrespective of an employers recommendation. Documentation for Registration In order to register you should obtain from the Institute an application form for Student Registration. This must be completed and returned together with: all relevant certificates. If this is a problem please read carefully the notes for applicants which will be sent with the application form; a cheque to cover the Registration fee and the annual subscription (payment can also be made by direct debit or deposit through the Institute bank account). If you are applying under category C of the eligibility requirements you must also enclose a letter from your employer which may be placed in a separately sealed envelope. Timing of Application Applications for Student Registration may be submitted and will be considered throughout the year. It is in the interest of all potential Students (and essential for those applying under category C above) to submit their application early to allow adequate time for consideration. If you wish to enter for examinations in the May of any year you should submit an application form in the late November of the preceding year. This will allow you a full six months to study for the examinations.

Registration as a Student does NOT constitute an examination entry. Applicants are asked not to order tuition material when submitting their documentation for Student Registration. Acceptance You should expect to receive a letter from the Institute within three weeks of submitting your application indicating whether you have been accepted as a Student. Exemption The Institute is prepared to consider granting exemption in respect of professional qualifications or in the case of an examination which overlaps considerably with one or more of the Institutes examinations. An exemption list and application form is available from the Institute. Holders of professional qualifications and degrees not listed are asked to submit a syllabus and allow at least six weeks for its consideration. If you are applying for exemption in respect of one of the qualifications listed on the exemption list you should submit the appropriate fees at the time of application. For qualifications not listed it is suggested that only the syllabus be made available initially. Acceptance You should expect to receive a letter from the Institute within three weeks of submitting your application indicating whether you have been accepted as a Student. STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS Continuing as a Student

Once you have registered as a Student you will continue in Membership provided you pay the annual subscription. The annual subscription is payable in advance on 1 January each year. As a Student of the Institute: you are eligible to study and enter for the ABDI examinations you will receive a copy of the Institutes News on a monthly basis you are eligible to attend conferences and seminars at preferential rates you are eligible to apply for reduced subscriptions to certain publications FEES Application Form for Student Registration: N3000.00 EXAMINATIONS:
1. Foundation 1. N6,600.00 2. Foundation 2. N7,400.00 3. Intermediate N9,200.00 4. Professional 1 N11,400.00 5. Professional 2 N13,500.00

Application Form for Admission to Membership: (a)Associate: N2, 500.00 (b)Fellow: N5, 000.00 Annual Subscription: (a)Student: N3, 000.00 (b)Associate: N10, 000.00 (c)Fellow: N20, 000.00 All other fees will be as determined by the Council and will be published. Regulations As a member of the Institute you are required to adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct and to the Articles of Association. Article 12 contains the regulations relating to the four and Ten Year Rules which affect only Students. These regulations require Students to: (a) pass all of the Institutes examinations within ten years of registering; (b) make a serious attempt at the examinations within any period of four years.

Student Membership must cease if these regulations are not met. Extensions can be granted to the four and Ten Year Rules in many circumstances. Lapsed Membership If a Student does not pay the annual subscription his/her Membership will lapse. If the Student subsequently wishes to rejoin, the lapsed period of Membership will count towards the four and Ten Year Rules. Extensions to these rules can be granted in many circumstances. Any lapsed Student wishing to rejoin is asked to contact the Education Department of the Institute to discuss the procedure.