One of the standout moments at the Odoo Roadshow Lagos 2025 came from a real-world success story that resonated deeply with attendees, a powerful testimonial by Mr Chuks Ezimadu from the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD), an erpSOFTapp client.
While the facilitators demonstrated Odoo’s capabilities, Mr Chuks brought those capabilities to life through CIoD’s digital transformation journey — from manual processes to automated, seamless operations.
About the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD)
The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria is a leading professional body dedicated to promoting leadership excellence, corporate governance, and ethical boardroom practices throughout Nigeria.
The Institute empowers senior executives and directors through:
- Director education and certification programmes
- Governance-focused capacity building
- Policy research and thought leadership
- High-impact networking opportunities
- Stakeholder engagement and organisational development
With a mandate to foster effective, ethical, and forward-thinking leaders, CIoD provides a strong institutional foundation for corporate sustainability and national development.
Why CIoD Chose Odoo: A Strategic Move Toward Digital Transformation
Before Odoo, CIoD relied heavily on manual and semi-digital processes for membership management, payments, training coordination, and governance activities. These fragmented workflows slowed operations and made scaling difficult.
Odoo presented a strategic solution because it provided:
A unified and scalable platform
One environment for managing members, finances, subscriptions, training programmes, governance processes, and stakeholder interactions.
Centralised data and visibility
No more fragmented systems — every department now works from a single source of truth.
Stronger cross-department collaboration
Membership, finance, training, and governance teams now operate with improved transparency and alignment.
Real-time insights for strategic decisions
Leadership can track performance, member growth, revenue, renewals, and programme outcomes instantly.
Odoo’s flexibility made it the perfect fit for CIoD’s long-term vision for:
- Sustainable growth
- Operational modernization
- Enhanced member experience
- Strong institutional performance
Core Odoo Functions Implemented at CIoD
To support the institute’s wide range of functions, erpSOFTapp implemented a suite of Odoo functions that now power their operations:
- Membership & Subscription Management
- CRM & Stakeholder Engagement
- Accounting, Payroll & Financial Reporting
- Purchase & Expense Management
- Project & Training Coordination
- Documents & Records Management
These modules now work together to create a cohesive ecosystem for governance, membership services, and organisational efficiency.
The Implementation Journey: How erpSOFTapp Delivered CIoD’s Digital Transformation
To achieve a seamless transition, erpSOFTapp followed a structured, outcome-driven implementation approach:
1. Requirements Gathering & Process Mapping
Understanding CIoD’s existing workflows, challenges, and desired improvements.
2. System Configuration & Module Setup
Tailoring Odoo modules to align with membership cycles, approval flows, accounting structure, and training operations.
3. Data Migration
Bringing in historical data — members, subscriptions, personnel, financial records — ensuring accuracy and consistency.
4. User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
Validating real-use scenarios with CIoD’s operational teams.
5. User Training & Knowledge Transfer
Equipping internal teams to manage, update, and operate the system independently.
6. Go-Live & Post-Implementation Support
Ensuring a smooth transition with hands-on support and system stabilisation.
This thoughtful approach ensured that Odoo didn’t just “go live”; it became an active part of CIoD’s workflow.
The Testimony: What Odoo Changed for CIoD
During his presentation at the Roadshow, Mr Chuks Ezimadu shared how Odoo has transformed CIoD’s operations, particularly in membership service delivery.
Here are the highlights:
1. Automated Membership Registration
Before Odoo, registration was manual and time-consuming. Now:
- New members register online
- Approvals follow a clear digital workflow
- Administrative delays have reduced significantly
- Member data is automatically stored and organised
2. Easier and Faster Payments
The Odoo Accounting module streamlined:
- Membership fee invoicing
- Renewal management
- Real-time payment visibility
- Automated reminders
- Integration with online payment channels
Members now complete transactions with ease and transparency.
3. A Single View of Every Member
Odoo now stores complete member profiles, including:
- Payment status
- Registration history
- Subscription type
- Training participation
- Engagement records
This 360° view has improved customer service, reporting, and strategic planning.
A Real-World Proof of Odoo’s Impact
One of the most engaging moments came when Mr Chuks described the difference Odoo made:
“Odoo has brought structure, visibility, and efficiency into how we serve our members. We now operate with confidence and clarity.”
This testimony resonated with attendees, many of whom face similar operational challenges in their own organisations.
Closing Reflections: A Blueprint for Success
The CIoD transformation story demonstrated that Odoo is more than software; it is a powerful enabler of:
- Digital maturity
- Operational excellence
- Better customer experience
- Governance transparency
- Long-term strategic impact
With erpSOFTapp’s expertise as an implementation partner, CIoD now operates with improved efficiency, stronger decision-making capacity, and a modern digital backbone that supports its leadership mission.