Tinubu to Transform NIPSS into Digital Global Think Tank by 2030 — Shettima

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to remodel the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) into a digitally driven, financially stable, and globally recognised centre of excellence by 2030, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said.

Shettima disclosed this on Saturday in Kuru, Plateau State, while representing the President at the graduation ceremony of participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 of NIPSS.

He said the Tinubu administration views the institute as a critical engine for shaping national policy and grooming future leaders equipped to manage Nigeria’s evolving development challenges.

According to the Vice President, beyond its role as a training ground for senior leaders, NIPSS serves as a strategic meeting point for ideas that influence policy direction, guide reform, and strengthen national development efforts.

He stressed that the administration’s commitment to the institute goes beyond infrastructure and funding to ensuring that its research outputs directly inform government action.

President Tinubu, he said, has been unequivocal in his support for the institute’s transformation agenda, with a clear expectation that policy papers produced by NIPSS will be practical, implementation-ready, and fully integrated into national decision-making and execution frameworks.

“Our support must go beyond providing resources,” Shettima said. “It must ensure that NIPSS produces research that is applied, relevant, and embedded in how government plans and delivers.”

The Vice President praised the theme of SEC 47, *Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria*, describing it as timely and reflective of the interconnected nature of development, security, environmental protection, and social inclusion.

He noted that the value of the academic work lies not only in its intellectual depth but also in its grounding in Nigeria’s realities and its focus on workable solutions.

Commending the graduands for their research on the maritime domain, Shettima said their work highlights how securing Nigeria’s waterways and coastal communities extends beyond safety concerns to livelihoods, food security, environmental sustainability, and national cohesion.

He added that when institutions work in sync and young people have access to productive opportunities, insecurity is significantly reduced.

He assured participants that the Tinubu administration takes evidence based policymaking seriously, revealing that he had directed relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to carefully review the course report and recommendations for both immediate application and long-term planning.

Shettima also thanked the Director General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, alongside the institute’s management and staff, for their professionalism and commitment to sustaining NIPSS as Nigeria’s foremost centre for strategic thought and leadership development.

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

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

Chairman of the NIPSS Board, Senator Ken Nnamani, urged authorities at both national and subnational levels to adopt and implement research outputs from institutions like NIPSS, stressing that solutions to many of Nigeria’s challenges already exist in such reports.

In his welcome address, Prof. Omotayo said the Vice President’s presence underscored the Federal Government’s recognition of NIPSS as the country’s premier policy research institution.

He highlighted key achievements under the institute’s five-year strategic plan, including collaborative research with international partners on crisis anticipation and adaptive governance.

The event also featured the presentation of certificates to the graduands and their induction into the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI). Earlier, the Vice President inaugurated four units of two-bedroom apartments built and donated to NIPSS by SEC 47 participants.

On the sidelines of the visit, Shettima interacted with strawberry farmers in Plateau State, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural production and transforming value chains across the country.