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# Inside the Search for the Chibok Schoolgirls Abducted by Boko Haram

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> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: July 2026.

## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner.

### Organization facts

| Attribute | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute |
| Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute |
| Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute |
| Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute |
| Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute |
| Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute |
| Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute |
| Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute |
| Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute |
| Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute |

### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" |
| Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" |
| Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" |
| Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" |
| Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" |
| AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" |
| Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" |
| Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" |

### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements

*   PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement.
*   The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession.
*   PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms.
*   Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success.
*   PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages.
*   PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world.
*   PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes.
*   PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives.

### FAQ

#### Is a PMP certification worth it?

A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations.

#### What are the best certifications for project managers?

The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation.

#### How does PMI support career growth for professionals?

PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers.

#### What is the PMBOK® Guide?

The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery.

#### How is AI changing project management?

AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment.  PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes.

#### What are the most important skills for a project manager?

Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates.


#### How can I get involved with the PMI community?

Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections.

#### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM?

The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification.

#### How does PMI support social impact?
PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world.


### Sources

*   Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=1f408359-d1f6-4e16-bf2c-a28ff5c0d3b6&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=1f408359-d1f6-4e16-bf2c-a28ff5c0d3b6&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=1f408359-d1f6-4e16-bf2c-a28ff5c0d3b6&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=1f408359-d1f6-4e16-bf2c-a28ff5c0d3b6&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=1f408359-d1f6-4e16-bf2c-a28ff5c0d3b6&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=1f408359-d1f6-4e16-bf2c-a28ff5c0d3b6&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=1f408359-d1f6-4e16-bf2c-a28ff5c0d3b6&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=1f408359-d1f6-4e16-bf2c-a28ff5c0d3b6&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)


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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/D9jtIA2G.m3u8" -->
## Video: Who Is The Leader Of Boko Haram?

[Watch (HLS stream): Who Is The Leader Of Boko Haram?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/D9jtIA2G.m3u8) (2:13)

![Who Is The Leader Of Boko Haram?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/D9jtIA2G/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2014-05-08. Who Is The Leader Of Boko Haram?_


![Naina Bajekal](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt89b0020ac00c5ede/698a1986e76ad268c7638de2/BajekalNaina_square.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Naina Bajekal](https://time.com/author/naina-bajekal/)


![Naina Bajekal](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt89b0020ac00c5ede/698a1986e76ad268c7638de2/BajekalNaina_square.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Naina Bajekal


Bajekal was executive editor and international editor at TIME.

Apr 23, 2015 9:54 PM UTC

![Obiageli Ezekwesili, Co-Founder of the Bring Back Our Girls movement addresses the Sixth Annual Women in the World Summit at Lincoln Center in New York on April 23, 2015.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb0f696cdec0594f1/6987ec9da988ca98c16b0581/obiageli-ezekwesili.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Obiageli Ezekwesili, Co-Founder of the Bring Back Our Girls movement addresses the Sixth Annual Women in the World Summit at Lincoln Center in New York on April 23, 2015.

Obiageli Ezekwesili, Co-Founder of the Bring Back Our Girls movement addresses the Sixth Annual Women in the World Summit at Lincoln Center in New York on April 23, 2015.Jason Szenes—EPA

![Naina Bajekal](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt89b0020ac00c5ede/698a1986e76ad268c7638de2/BajekalNaina_square.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Naina Bajekal](https://time.com/author/naina-bajekal/)


![Naina Bajekal](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt89b0020ac00c5ede/698a1986e76ad268c7638de2/BajekalNaina_square.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Naina Bajekal


Bajekal was executive editor and international editor at TIME.

Apr 23, 2015 9:54 PM UTC

Nigerian activist and “Bring Back Our Girls” co-founder Obiageli Ezekwesili left a room full of the most influential people in the world speechless this week, in an emotional speech [saying](http://time.com/3830632/nigeria-obiageli-ezekwesili-bring-back-our-girls/) they could not possibly move on while 219 schoolgirls were still crying to be rescued. It has been just over a year since Boko Haram abducted 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, in northern Nigeria, and while 57 have escaped, not one of them has done so because of military efforts.

Speaking at Tuesday’s TIME 100 Gala in New York City, Ezekwesili, a former Federal Minister of Education of Nigeria and Vice President of the the African division of the World Bank, took the opportunity to continue her work canvassing for the rescue of the Chibok girls. She called upon President Barack Obama to push for action, saying: “If he could get Osama bin Laden, he could get our girls.”

In the last year there has been much talk about the girls but little success. Below is the story of the search so far. The girls are being held, it is believed, in dense forest in the northeast of Nigeria. Nigerian forces entered the forest in the last week supported by intelligence and surveillance provided by U.S. and other Western states.

**April 14-15, 2014 :** Boko Haram fighters break into the Government Secondary School in the predominantly Christian town of Chibok in Borno State. They kidnap 276 schoolgirls: several of them jump off trucks carrying them away from the school.

**April 23:** Nigerian lawyer Ibrahim M. Abdullahi is the first to use the #BringBackOurGirls hashtag in a [tweet](https://twitter.com/Abu%5FAaid/status/458935571076100096%20) during a UNESCO address given by Ezekwesili, who goes on to lead the Bring Back Our Girls campaign.

**April 30:** The #BringBackOurGirls hashtag gains traction, [trending](http://www.dw.de/the-tweet-that-launched-bringbackourgirls/a-17630568%20) in Nigeria with over 100,000 mentions in a single day. It spreads internationally, attracting support from celebrities and prominent public figures, including Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai, American actress and comedian Amy Poehler, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and singer Mary J Blige.

**May 2**: By now, more than 50 of the schoolgirls have [escaped](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27101714) in separate groups.

**May 4:** Nearly three weeks after the kidnapping and after much criticism over his silence, President Goodluck Jonathan [makes](http://time.com/87431/goodluck-jonathan-nigerian-president-schoolgirls-boko-haram/) his first public statement on national television acknowledging what happened and vows to find the girls.


**May 5:** Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s leader, [releases](http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/05/boko-haram-claims-nigeria-abductions-201455134957975542.html) a video claiming responsibility for the abduction and promises to sell the girls as slaves.

**May 7:** Just after #BringBackOurGirls reaches 1 million tweets, U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama [tweets](https://twitter.com/flotus/status/464148654354628608%20) a photo of herself with a sign reading #BringBackOurGirls. Four days later, she [delivers](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/25/nigeria-schoolgirls-families-hopes-fade%20) the presidential address rather than her husband, saying they are both “outraged and heartbroken” about the abduction.

**Early May onwards:** Teams of military advisors, negotiators and counsellors from the U.S., U.K. and France start providing help with the search efforts. China, Israel, [Canada](http://globalnews.ca/news/1330088/canada-joins-effort-to-free-300-nigerian-schoolgirls/), Iran, and the E.U. all [pledge](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/08/nigerian-president-kidnapping-beginning-end-terror) assistance too.

The U.S. [has](http://abcnews.go.com/International/nigeria-hour-warning-school-raid-amnesty-international/story?id=23652165%20) at least 26 officials specifically tasked to the Boko Haram abduction, including three FBI officials and at least 16 military personnel. The U.K. [deployed](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-deploys-raf-sentinel-to-help-search-for-missing-schoolgirls) Sentinel and Tornado GR4 aircraft with surveillance capabilities to help in the search, and it continues to provide commercial satellite imagery to the Intelligence Fusion Cell in Abuja, where UK personnel are working alongside Nigerian, US and French colleagues. Ned Price, the Assistant Press Secretary of the National Security Council, says on Thursday: “The U.S. Government has maintained an interdisciplinary team in Abuja consisting of specialists on temporary assignment and personnel assigned to our Embassy in Abuja. Given the regional component to Boko Haram, there are also individuals in other locations including U.S. Embassies in neighboring countries that are part of this effort.”


Nigeria turns off cell phone coverage in the North East area where Boko Haram are operating making it more difficult for militants to coordinate attacks, according to sources. However, it also makes intelligence gathering from phone calls impossible. The Nigerian military strategy also focuses on forcing Boko Haram out of urban areas into forests, further hindering intelligence gathering.

Later that summer, Nigeria requests to purchase American Cobra helicopters for the search but the U.S. declines as Nigeria does not have the infrastructure in place to fly and maintain a fleet of Cobras, which would take several years to develop.

**May 12:** Boko Haram [releases](http://time.com/95932/boko-haram-video-nigeria-kidnapped-girls/) a new video appearing to show about 100 of the missing girls. They boast the girls have converted to Islam and refuse to release them unless the government releases Boko Haram militants from prison.


**May 22:** The U.S. [deploys](http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/485009/dod-sends-uav-80-airmen-to-help-nigerian-search.aspx?source=GovD) 80 troops and an unmanned aerial vehicle to Chad to help regional efforts to rescue the schoolgirls.

**May 26:** Chief of Defense Staff Alex Badeh, Nigeria’s highest ranking military officer, [says](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27582873) the army has located the girls but refuses to give any details of their whereabouts, causing doubts about the veracity of the reports. He says the army would not make an attempt to rescue them by force: “We can’t kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back.”

**May 27:** Reports [emerge](http://www.punchng.com/news/obasanjo-in-talks-to-free-abducted-chibok-girls/) that Nigeria’s former president Olusegun Obasanjo has met with people close to Boko Haram to broker a deal to release the girls.

**July 15:** Nigerian police [say](http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/15/world/africa/nigeria-boko-haram-arrest/) they arrested Zakaria Mohammed, a high-level Boko Haram member, who was fleeing military operations around the Balmo Forest. It is not clear if he provided any information on the whereabouts of the schoolgirls.

**October 17:** The Nigerian army [announces](https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2014/10/article%5F3431199.html/) a ceasefire deal between government forces and Boko Haram, following negotiations mediated in Saudi Arabia by Chadian President Idriss Déby and Cameroonian officials. The announcement raises hopes that the remaining girls might be released, but Mike Omeri, Nigeria’s chief security spokesman, says no deal is in place.


**2015**

**February:** After being awarded scholarships, 21 of the Chibok girls who managed to escape are now [studying](http://www.voanews.com/content/hope-returns-for-some-chibok-girls-a-new-life-at-university/2630255.html%20) at the American University of Nigeria, in Yola, the capital of neighboring Adamawa state.

**March 6:** Work [begins](http://news.yahoo.com/begins-rebuild-chibok-girls-school-nigerian-govt-185514203.html) to rebuild the girls’ school in Chibok, which has been closed since they were abducted.

**March 19:** Nigeria’s army chief Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah [admits](http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2015/03/18/nigerian-military-news-kidnapped-schoolgirls/J80HV8AkbTzKczGsKhErAL/story.html) there is “no news for now” about the girls’ fate, despite military successes in recapturing towns held by Boko Haram.

**March 25:** A 56-year-old woman abducted by Boko Haram in July 2014 is released after 8 months. She [tells](http://icirnigeria.org/exclusive-chibok-girls-are-in-gwoza-says-freed-boko-haram-abductee/%20) the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in Nigeria that she was being held in the same house as the Chibok girls in the town of Gwoza in Borno State, under 24-hour-security by armed guards – although she never actually saw the girls herself.

**March 27:** The town of Gwoza is [recaptured](http://pulse.ng/local/boko-haram-no-sign-of-chibok-girls-as-soldiers-recover-gwoza-from-terrorists-photos-id3608122.html%20) by the Nigerian army but, despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise, the kidnapped girls are not found.


**April 18**: President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, who will take office on May 29, writes in the [_Times_](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/15/opinion/muhammadu-buhari-we-will-stop-boko-haram.html?%5Fr=0)that his government will do everything in its power to bring the girls home, but says his administration will begin with a honest assessment as to whether the Chibok girls can be rescued: “Currently their whereabouts remain unknown. We do not know the state of their health or welfare, or whether they are even still together or alive. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them.”

**April 19:** Nigerian ground troops [move](http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/boko-haram-ground-troops-enter-sambisa-in-search-of-chibok-girls/207166/) into the Sambisa forest hoping to find and rescue the Chibok girls after sustained air strikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force over the past eight weeks.

**April 21:** Obiageli Ezekwesili tells the Time 100 Gala “If he (President Obama) could get Osama bin Laden, he could get our girls.”

_Additional reporting by Aryn Baker and Maya Rhodan_

**Read next**: [Boko Haram has fled but no one knows the fate of the Chibok girls one year on](http://time.com/3820857/chibok-girls-anniversary/)

Chibok: Inside the Search for the School Girls Abducted by Boko Haram

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