President Tinubu moves to reposition NIPSS as global policy hub by 2030 — Shettima

• FG bars CPs, permanent secretaries from courses

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remodel the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) into a digitally driven, financially stable and globally recognised centre of excellence by the year 2030, thenationonlineng.net reported.

Shettima gave the assurance on Saturday in Kuru, Plateau State, while representing the President at the graduation ceremony of participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 of the institute. He described the transformation of NIPSS as central to the Federal Government’s broader agenda of strengthening evidence-based policymaking and leadership development in Nigeria.

According to the Vice President, the Tinubu administration regards NIPSS as the nation’s most strategic platform for nurturing thinkers, reformers and innovators, as well as a crucible where ideas that shape policy, guide reforms and influence national development are forged.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima quoted President Tinubu as being unequivocal in his support for NIPSS’ reform agenda, particularly its ambition to emerge as a globally respected policy and strategic research institution by 2030.

He stressed that Federal Government support for the institute would go beyond funding and infrastructure to ensuring that its research outputs are practical and directly integrated into national decision-making.

“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,” Shettima said.

In a major policy shift, the Vice President disclosed that the Federal Government has stopped the participation of Commissioners of Police and Permanent Secretaries in NIPSS courses, citing limited post-graduation service years as a constraint to policy application.

“Hitherto, we were admitting Commissioners of Police and Permanent Secretaries for policy research courses at NIPSS, but six months after graduation they are retired after going through such rigorous exercise and acquiring so much knowledge. If this is not madness, I need to be told the meaning of madness,” he said.

He explained that admission has now been restricted to officers in the ranks of Deputy Commissioners of Police and Deputy Directors in the civil service, who have longer service years to apply the knowledge gained.

“For SEC 47 and subsequent courses, Mr President has approved minimum entry requirements to deputy cadres. This should usher in a more vibrant academic atmosphere and greater policy impact,” Shettima added.

Commending the theme of the course, “Blue Economy and Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” the Vice President described it as timely, noting its relevance to national development, security, environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

He said the participants’ research on the maritime domain underscored the interconnection between security, livelihoods, food security, environmental protection and national cohesion, assuring that relevant ministries, departments and agencies have been directed to study the report for immediate and long-term policy application.

“Graduands of SEC 47, your responsibility begins now. You are expected to rise above routine administration and become agents of transformation,” he charged, describing NIPSS as a true national asset whose value lies in translating knowledge into policy, policy into action and action into measurable national progress.

Earlier, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said the course theme was assigned by President Tinubu at the inauguration of SEC 47, challenging participants to critically examine Nigeria’s marine assets, national competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

He said the study had attracted commendation from the Presidency for its insights into ports modernisation, fisheries governance, maritime security, renewable energy potential, coastal resilience and private sector innovation, adding that its recommendations would continue to inform national policy as Nigeria intensifies efforts to diversify its economy.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, congratulated the graduands on attaining the “mni” status, commending them for successfully completing the rigorous research process and urging them to deploy their knowledge as solution providers to Nigeria’s development challenges. He also praised the Federal Government for sustaining a peaceful environment in Kuru that allows NIPSS to function effectively.

Chairman of the NIPSS Board, Senator Ken Nnamani, urged authorities at all levels of government to adopt and implement research outputs from the institute, expressing confidence in the Tinubu administration’s commitment to research-driven governance.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the President of the NIPSS Alumni Association, Ambassador Emmanuel Okafor, and the Monitor-General of SEC 47, Col. Mukhtar Sani Daroda, who pledged the graduands’ continued service to the nation.

Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of certificates by the Vice President, induction of the graduands into the NIPSS Alumni Association, and the inauguration of four units of two-bedroom apartments donated to the institute by SEC 47 participants.

Meanwhile, Shettima also interacted with strawberry farmers in Plateau State, reiterating the Federal Government’s resolve to transform Nigeria’s agricultural value chain in line with President Tinubu’s development agenda.