Tinubu tasks 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) as well as other policy makers in Nigeria to take the lead in driving the nation’s digital transformation and tech-driven economic growth.

This, he explained, is premised on plans by his administration to revitalise NIPSS, “fully digitising its operations, developing an advanced e-library, and establishing virtual learning platforms to ensure executive education remains cutting-edge and accessible.”

President Tinubu gave the charge Friday at the graduation ceremony of Senior Executive Course 46 of NIPPS, Nigeria’s premier policy institution, in Kuru, Plateau State.

Represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu specifically noted that policy research, youth empowerment, and technological innovation are indispensable in shaping Nigeria’s future.

He noted that this year’s course theme, “Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria,” perfectly 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,” the President said.

Tinubu maintained that technology holds a central place in leveraging Nigeria’s youthful population, which constitutes over 60% of the country’s demographics, to propel economic transformation.

“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.”

The President promised that initiatives, including the expansion of broadband infrastructure, the development of digital entrepreneurship, and the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy would help the country maximise the 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,” he stated.