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.

Shettima, who represented President Tinubu at the graduation ceremony of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 of NIPSS in Kuru, Plateau State, on Saturday, said the transformation of the institute is central to the administration’s broader agenda of strengthening evidence-based policymaking and leadership development in Nigeria.

According to him, the Tinubu administration regards NIPSS as the nation’s most strategic platform for developing thinkers, reformers and innovators, as well as a meeting point for ideas that shape policy, guide reforms and influence the course of national development.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “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”.

He stressed that the Federal Government’s support for the institute would go beyond funding, infrastructure and a conducive research environment, adding that emphasis would be placed on producing implementation-ready policy papers.

“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 stated.

The Vice President commended the theme of the SEC 47, “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” describing it as timely and reflective of the interconnection between development, security, environmental stewardship and social inclusion.

He noted that the strength of academic work lies not only in intellectual depth but also in its relevance to Nigeria’s realities, adding that the graduands’ research on the maritime domain underscored the links between security, livelihoods, food security, environmental protection and national cohesion.

Shettima assured that the Tinubu administration takes evidence-based policymaking seriously, disclosing that he had directed relevant ministries, departments and agencies to give the report and recommendations of the course participants close attention for both immediate application and long-term strategic planning.

He also praised the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, as well as the management and staff of the institute, for their dedication and professionalism in sustaining NIPSS as the nation’s foremost centre for strategic thought and leadership development.

He further commended Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, and the people of the state for maintaining a peaceful environment that has enabled the institute to function as a national asset.

Earlier, Governor Mutfwang applauded the Federal Government for its support to NIPSS, noting that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from the institute’s research outputs, particularly in broadening governance perspectives and addressing security challenges across the country.

Chairman of the NIPSS Board, Senator Ken Nnamani, urged authorities at the national and subnational levels to adopt and implement research outputs from institutions such as NIPSS, expressing confidence in the Tinubu administration’s continued support for research-driven policymaking.

In his welcome address, Prof. Omotayo said the Vice President’s presence at the ceremony underscored the Federal Government’s recognition of NIPSS as Nigeria’s premier policy and strategic research institute, highlighting achievements recorded under its five-year strategic plan.

Goodwill messages were also 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 commitment to national service.

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

Meanwhile, the Vice President 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. (The Nation)