Tinubu pledges to revamp NIPSS’s digital infrastructure

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to revamp the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies’ (NIPSS) digital infrastructure by establishing advanced e-library and virtual learning platforms.

Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, pledged on Friday at the graduation ceremony of Senior Executive Course 46 of NIPPS in Kuru, Plateau.

He underscored the need for the government to fully digitise NIPSS operations to ensure executive education remained cutting-edge and accessible.

Tinubu specifically noted that policy research, youth empowerment, and technological innovation were indispensable in shaping Nigeria’s future.

He called on the new graduates of the institute to champion the nation’s digital transformation and tech-driven economic growth.

He noted that this year’s course theme, “Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria,” perfectly aligned 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 maintained that technology held a central place in leveraging Nigeria’s youthful population.

The President said that the youth constituted over 60 per cent of the country’s demographics.

” Young people are our greatest asset. 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.”

He said expansion of broadband infrastructure, development of digital entrepreneurship, and the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy would help the country maximise potential of its 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.”

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening policy research institutions like NIPSS.

The President described such institutions 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.

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.

Earlier, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, said the state government would prioritise sending female candidates to the institute.

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,” the governor said.

Also, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof Ayo Omotayo, said the graduation was a testament to the vision of the class and 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 undoubtedly contribute to addressing the future of work, “the class represents a new wave of leaders equipped to drive change in Nigeria.”

On his part, the Monitor-General for Course 46, Col. Fakandu Bala, said the class of 96 members developed two humanoid robots.

According to him, they used 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.