Concerned employees of the Nigerian Institute of Social & Economic Research (NISER) have urged the Federal Government to consider an extension of tenure for the outgoing Director General (DG) of the institute, Dr. Folarin Gbadebo-Smith.
They based their move on the unprecedented successes recorded during Gbadebo-Smith’s initial four-year term, saying he was in the process of repositioning NISER for relevance in the policy space as a world-class think-tank.
A statement signed by Dr. Adebimpe Adepoju, on behalf of others and made available to reporters yesterday in Ibadan, Oyo State said Gbadebo-Smith’s administration, which was etched on the core mandate of NISER, had influenced policy making and policy decisions in the country.
The statement said: “This was the main point on NISER’s reform agenda, which he was charged to drive. Capacity and skill gaps are being filled since he assumed office.
“The DG has helped to re-orientate NISER to lean towards a blend of scholarly research and public policy focus.
“The core mandate of NISER is ‘to conduct socio-economic research’, with the goal of influencing policy making and policy decisions. This, Dr. Gbadebo-Smith achieved in his first tenure.”
A recipient of many research awards and fellowships, Gbadebo-Smith has a background in dentistry, which is arguably the most versatile professional cadre that exists, as this is evident in his subsequent career path.
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