The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained that the establishment of The Progressive Institute (TPI) is a strategic move aimed at deepening good governance and strengthening democratic ideals in Nigeria.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who spoke at the formal inauguration of the Governing Council of the Institute at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, described the initiative as a decisive step toward entrenching ideology-driven politics and policy-based governance within the ruling party.

He explained that the Institute was conceived to serve as the intellectual engine and policy think tank of the APC, positioning the party on a path toward institutional politics comparable to those of established democracies around the world.

According to him, the Progressive Institute was established at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of a deliberate effort to promote ideological clarity, strengthen research capacity, and encourage issue-based political engagement across Nigeria’s democratic system.

“The vision is to build a resilient, competitive, and policy-focused democracy anchored on strong political institutions rather than personalities,” Yilwatda stated.

He noted that the inauguration of the Governing Council concludes the governance framework initiated when the Institute was unveiled on September 6, 2024, marking a new phase dedicated to governance reforms, leadership development, capacity building, and evidence-based policymaking.

Yilwatda disclosed that the Institute has been duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a Company Limited by Guarantee and has also secured approvals from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

He stressed that despite being the ruling party, the APC ensured strict compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements to guarantee the Institute’s independence, credibility, and sustainability — a move he said underscores the party’s commitment to the rule of law and democratic accountability.

The statutory functions of TPI include research and publication on public policy, democratisation, governance, and leadership; organising workshops and national and international conferences; collaborating with APC organs on political strategy; and capacity-building programmes covering leadership, ideology, intra-party democracy, elections, and institution-building.

Yilwatda explained that the Institute would also serve as the party’s institutional memory through systematic documentation of conventions, caucus decisions, policy positions, and other party activities.

Describing the Governing Council as the Institute’s highest decision-making body, he said its composition reflects a blend of academics, policy experts, and party leaders committed to national development.

He assured that the President, the National Working Committee, and party leaders nationwide are fully committed to supporting the Institute. He also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in laying the groundwork for the Institute.

The APC chairman urged governors, elected officials, and party elders to patronise the Institute for research and training services, emphasising that it must be fully integrated into the party’s governance ecosystem.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Institute, Lanre Adebayo, highlighted milestones achieved since its unveiling, including regulatory compliance, skill-acquisition programmes across several states, and engagements with international partners such as the European Union.

He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to working with the Governing Council to deliver on the APC’s vision of building a world-class institution that strengthens governance, empowers youth, and promotes democratic competitiveness.

The event, attended by members of the APC National Working Committee, development partners, representatives from the six geopolitical zones, and the media, marked what party leaders described as a defining moment in the APC’s institutional evolution and its pursuit of democratic consolidation anchored on research, ideology, and policy excellence.