Tinubu Charges Policy Makers To Spearhead Nigeria’s Digital Reforms
President Bola Tinubu has implored new graduates of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and other policy makers to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
President Tinubu gave the charge on Friday at the graduation of Senior Executive Course 46 of NIPPS, Nigeria’s premier policy institution, in Kuru, Plateau State.
Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The President noted that policy research, youth empowerment, and technological innovation are indispensable in shaping Nigeria’s future.
He noted that the theme of the course, ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria’, aligns with his administration’s priorities.
“The task ahead is not an easy one, but I have no doubt that you are equal to it. You must return to your organisations and communities with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that the future of our nation rests, in part, on the quality of leadership you provide,” Tinubu told the NIPSS graduates.
He maintained that technology holds a central place to be leveraged by Nigeria’s youthful population, which stands at over 60% of the country’s demographics, to propel economic transformation in the country.
“Young people are our greatest assets. Their energy, creativity, and technological prowess must be fully harnessed to propel our country into a new era of economic transformation. This is an investment we cannot afford to take for granted.”
The President promised new initiatives, including the expansion of broadband infrastructure, the development of digital entrepreneurship, and implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, to maximise the potential of the country’s youth population.
“We are going nowhere unless we are well positioned to utilise technology in our daily lives and guide our industries towards the demands of this new wave of industrial revolution,” he stated.
The Nigerian leader reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening policy research institutions like NIPSS, describing them as the “fulcrum of strategic thought” in national development.
“No nation that cares about its future underfunds the very institution that provides strategic insights and policy direction for national development,” he said.
Tinubu pledged to revamp NIPSS’s digital infrastructure, including the establishment of an advanced e-library and virtual learning platforms, just as he underscored the need to “fully digitise NIPSS operations to ensure executive education remains cutting-edge and accessible.”
He recalled that the federal government recently approved the takeover of the Oba Adetona Post-Graduate School of Policy and Governance Studies to bolster Nigeria’s policy research ecosystem.
“This decision underscores our dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s ecosystem of policy research institutions,” he said.
President Tinubu also mentioned ongoing efforts to empower young Nigerians through vocational training and the government support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He explained that “through initiatives like the Renewed Hope Skills Acquisition Programme, we are equipping young Nigerians with practical skills in technology, construction, and the creative industries”.
On his part, Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, said the state government would prioritise sending female candidates to the institute, just as he appealed for the state to be given more slots to accommodate the growing demand for the institute’s admission.
“I want to congratulate you on having gone through this course, and I hope that what you have learned here will add value to our national progress.”
Earlier, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof Ayo Omotayo, said the graduation was a testament to the vision of the institute to foster strategic leadership in Nigeria.
“In past years, we have made significant strides in making our research outputs relevant to today’s critical national issues. The digital economy is reshaping the global landscape, and Nigeria must embrace these technologies. We must drive sustainability for generations to come,” he said.
He added that while the experiences of the participants’ would contribute to addressing the future of the work place, “the class represents a new wave of leaders equipped to drive change in Nigeria.”
Also, the Monitor-General for Course 46, Colonel Fakandu Mohammed Bala, said the class of 96 members developed two humanoid robots, using locally sourced materials at the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) owned by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
“The essence is to show that we have the capacity and ability to drive our developmental processes with homegrown technologies. The two robots are designed to improve the efficiency of workplaces such as hospitals and government offices,” he said.
