The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a decisive step towards entrenching ideology-driven politics and policy-based governance in Nigeria with the formal inauguration of the Governing Council of The Progressive Institute (TPI), signaling the party’s resolve to build a world-class political foundation comparable to the best in global democratic systems.

The Governing Council was inaugurated on Monday, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja by the National Chairman of the party, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, who described the development as a major milestone in the institutional strengthening of the APC and the Nigerian political landscape.

He noted that the inauguration concludes the process of establishing the governance structure of the Institute, which was unveiled on September 6, 2024, and positions TPI as the intellectual engine and policy think tank of the party.

According to Professor Yilwatda, the Progressive Institute was established at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as part of a deliberate effort to deepen ideological clarity within the APC, strengthen research capacity, and promote issue-based politics not only within the ruling party but across Nigeria’s entire party system.

He emphasized that the President’s vision is to nurture a more resilient, competitive, and policy-focused democracy anchored on strong political institutions rather than personalities.

He added that the inauguration of the Governing Council marks the beginning of a new phase for the Institute, one focused on driving governance reforms, leadership development, capacity building, and evidence-based policymaking that will enhance democratic governance and national development.

Professor Yilwatda noted that the Institute has been duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a Company Limited by Guarantee and has received approvals from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

He emphasized that the APC, despite being the ruling party, ensured strict compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements to guarantee TPI’s independence, credibility, and sustainability as a non-state institution, underscoring the party’s commitment to the rule of law.

He outlined the core statutory functions of The Progressive Institute to include research and publication on public policy, democratization, governance, and leadership; organization of workshops, national and international conferences; collaboration with relevant APC organs on political strategy; and extensive capacity-building programmes covering leadership, ideology, intra-party democracy, public policy, institution building, elections, and APC values.

The Institute will also serve as a platform for robust engagement between the party and the wider Nigerian society, while acting as the institutional memory of the APC through systematic documentation of party activities, conventions, caucus decisions, and policy positions.

Describing the Governing Council as the highest decision-making organ of the Institute, the APC National Chairman stressed that its role is fundamental to realizing the vision of building a world-class political foundation comparable to the best global institutions in its category.

He explained that his position as Chairman of the Governing Council was a deliberate decision by the APC to ensure that TPI enjoys sustained policy focus and strategic attention at the highest level of party leadership.

Professor Yilwatda assured that the President, the National Working Committee, and leaders of the APC nationwide are fully committed to supporting the Institute. He congratulated members of the Governing Council, noting that they were carefully selected from among many qualified Nigerians based on their pedigree, experience, and commitment to national development.

He expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his foresight in establishing what he described as Nigeria’s premier political foundation, and also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, former APC National Chairman and former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and other stakeholders who laid the groundwork for the Institute.

The APC Chairman appealed to party elders, governors, and elected officials to actively support TPI by patronizing it for research, training, and consultancy services, stressing that the Institute must be fully integrated into the party’s governance and policy ecosystem.

In formally inaugurating the Governing Council, Professor Yilwatda charged members to see their appointment as a historic responsibility and an opportunity to write their names in gold by shaping policies that improve governance, strengthen democratic institutions, enhance electoral competitiveness, and make the APC more attractive to Nigerians.

He emphasized that the Council’s work must drive inclusive, balanced, and nationally representative policies, reflecting the diversity of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

He further highlighted that the composition of the Governing Council reflects national balance, with representation from across the North and South, reinforcing the APC’s commitment to inclusiveness and unity.

The Governing Council comprises nine members, supported by six ex-officio management officials who serve as observers. The Council includes leading academics, policy experts, and party leaders, while the management team oversees programmes, legal services, administration, human resources, planning, and training.

Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of The Progressive Institute, Dr Lanre Adebayo, highlighted milestones achieved since the Institute’s unveiling, including organizational registration, compliance with key regulatory bodies, implementation of capacity-building and skill acquisition programmes across several states, and engagement with international partners such as the European Union.

He reaffirmed management’s commitment, in collaboration with the Governing Council, to deliver on the vision of the APC in establishing a world-class institution that empowers youth, strengthens governance, and positions Nigeria competitively in the global political and policy arena.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by members of the APC National Working Committee, party leaders, members of the Governing Council, representatives from across the six geopolitical zones, development partners, and the media.

The event marked a defining moment in the institutional evolution of the All Progressives Congress and reaffirmed its resolve to anchor politics, governance, and leadership on sound ideology, research, and policy excellence.

Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser to the National Chairman of APC (Media and Communications Strategy)

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