The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed the resolve of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remodel the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, into a globally recognised centre of excellence that is digitally driven and financially stable by 2030. He said the goal reflects the government’s broader vision to strengthen institutions that shape leadership, policy thinking, and long term national development in Nigeria.
According to him, apart from serving as the most strategic platform for developing thinkers, reformers, and innovators in Nigeria, the institute’s Senior Executive Course represents a deliberate investment in the nation’s future leadership. He described the programme as a meeting point for ideas that define policy, guide reform, and influence the overall direction of national development across sectors.
Senator Shettima stated this on Saturday when he represented President Tinubu at the Graduation Ceremony of Senior Executive Course 47 of NIPSS in Kuru, Plateau State. The event brought together senior government officials, academics, policy experts, and graduates of the institute from different parts of the country.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been unequivocal in his commitment to supporting NIPSS in its transformation agenda, particularly its ambition to become a digitally driven, financially stable, and globally recognised centre of excellence by 2030,” the Vice President said. “We recognise the Institute’s critical role in shaping national policy and in building the leadership capacity required to navigate an increasingly complex world,” he declared.
The Vice President noted that the support the Tinubu administration is giving to transform the institute goes beyond funding, infrastructure, and the provision of a conducive research environment. He stressed that the true value of NIPSS lies in the relevance and usability of its research outputs in real governance situations.
He said, “Our support must therefore go beyond funding, infrastructure, and a conducive research environment. It must ensure that NIPSS produces implementation ready policy papers and that its outputs are fully integrated into national decision making and execution frameworks.” According to him, policy ideas must translate into actions that directly improve governance outcomes.
VP Shettima applauded the theme of the Senior Executive Course 47, “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” describing it as timely and reflective of current national priorities. He said the theme captures urgent realities and “captures the reality that development, security, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion are inseparable.”
He however observed that the strength of the academic work from the course does not depend only on its academic depth. He said its value lies in its insistence that policy must be practical, implementable, and firmly grounded in Nigeria’s realities, especially in sectors facing security and economic pressures.
Commending the graduands, the Vice President said, “We are grateful for your sustained and rigorous enquiries into the affairs of the maritime domain, enquiries that continue to provide the nation with insights it depends upon.” He said the research work undertaken by the participants offers useful perspectives for addressing national challenges.
“Your latest research makes it clear that securing Nigeria’s waterways, coastlines, and inland communities goes far beyond safety alone. It speaks to livelihoods, food security, environmental protection, and national cohesion. When young people have productive work, when communities trust the state, and when institutions coordinate effectively, insecurity loses its oxygen,” he added.
Assuring that the Tinubu administration takes evidence based policymaking seriously, the Vice President said he had already directed relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to give the report and recommendations of the graduands close attention. He said this would be for both immediate application and long term strategic planning.
He thanked the Director General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, as well as the management and staff of NIPSS, for what he described as their dedication, professionalism, and unflinching commitment. According to him, their efforts have continued “to uphold NIPSS as the nation’s foremost centre for strategic thought and leadership development.”
The Vice President also hailed Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the people of the state for sustaining a peaceful environment around the institute. He said this support has enabled the “Institute to function as a true national asset” and continue its academic and research activities without disruption.
Earlier, Governor Mutfwang applauded the Federal Government’s support to the institute, particularly in facilitating the hitch free completion of its academic programmes. He also commended the execution of strategic projects that align with the mandate of NIPSS.
Underscoring the importance of academic programmes at the institution, Governor Mutfwang noted that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from the research output of NIPSS. He said such work broadens governance perspectives and offers valuable recommendations for addressing security challenges across the country.
On his part, the Chairman of the NIPSS Board, Senator Ken Nnamani, said pathways to addressing some of the nation’s challenges can be found in research reports produced by institutions across the country. He urged authorities at national and subnational levels to adopt and implement products of the institute.
While charging members of the SEC 47 to be worthy ambassadors of NIPSS, Senator Nnamani expressed confidence in the commitment of the Tinubu administration to continue supporting research endeavours. He also expressed optimism about the implementation of key research findings from academic institutions, including NIPSS.
In his welcome address, the Director General of NIPSS, Prof. Omotayo, said the Vice President’s presence at the graduation ceremony underscores the Federal Government’s recognition of the institute as the premier research institute for advancing Nigeria’s policy and governance framework.
Reeling out achievements anchored on its five year strategic plan, Prof. Omotayo said NIPSS has completed key institutional research endeavours in collaboration with international partners. He listed areas such as crisis anticipation and adaptive governance as part of the focus.
He said with these achievements, NIPSS has established itself as the premier institute for policy research aimed at rebuilding public trust and addressing emerging societal challenges facing the country.
In a goodwill message, the President of the NIPSS Alumni, AANI, Amb. Emmanuel Okafor, thanked the Vice President for his support to the institute. He also acknowledged the transformative projects executed under the present management.
On his part, the Monitor General of Course 47, Col. Muhktar Sani Daroda, said the rigour of the programme has prepared participants for tasks across sectors. He pledged their renewed commitment to national service.
The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of certificates to graduands and their induction into AANI. Earlier, the Vice President inaugurated four units of two bedroom apartments donated by SEC 47 participants.
Meanwhile, Senator Shettima also interacted with strawberry farmers in Plateau State. He said the Tinubu administration remains committed to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and supporting fruit production nationwide.
