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  • Tinubu moves to transform NIPSS into global centre of excellence by 2030

    Tinubu moves to transform NIPSS into global centre of excellence by 2030

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remodel the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) into a digitally driven, financially stable and globally recognised centre of excellence by the year 2030.

    Shettima, who represented President Tinubu at the graduation ceremony of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 of NIPSS in Kuru, Plateau State, on Saturday, said the transformation of the institute is central to the administration’s broader agenda of strengthening evidence-based policymaking and leadership development in Nigeria.

    According to him, the Tinubu administration regards NIPSS as the nation’s most strategic platform for developing thinkers, reformers and innovators, as well as a meeting point for ideas that shape policy, guide reforms and influence the course of national development.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been unequivocal in his commitment to supporting NIPSS in its transformation agenda, particularly its ambition to become a digitally driven, financially stable, and globally recognised centre of excellence by 2030”.

    He stressed that the Federal Government’s support for the institute would go beyond funding, infrastructure and a conducive research environment, adding that emphasis would be placed on producing implementation-ready policy papers.

    “Our support must therefore go beyond funding, infrastructure, and a conducive research environment. It must ensure that NIPSS produces implementation-ready policy papers and that its outputs are fully integrated into national decision-making and execution frameworks,” Shettima stated.

    The Vice President commended the theme of the SEC 47, “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” describing it as timely and reflective of the interconnection between development, security, environmental stewardship and social inclusion.

    He noted that the strength of academic work lies not only in intellectual depth but also in its relevance to Nigeria’s realities, adding that the graduands’ research on the maritime domain underscored the links between security, livelihoods, food security, environmental protection and national cohesion.

    Shettima assured that the Tinubu administration takes evidence-based policymaking seriously, disclosing that he had directed relevant ministries, departments and agencies to give the report and recommendations of the course participants close attention for both immediate application and long-term strategic planning.

    He also praised the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, as well as the management and staff of the institute, for their dedication and professionalism in sustaining NIPSS as the nation’s foremost centre for strategic thought and leadership development. 

    He further commended Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, and the people of the state for maintaining a peaceful environment that has enabled the institute to function as a national asset.

    Earlier, Governor Mutfwang applauded the Federal Government for its support to NIPSS, noting that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from the institute’s research outputs, particularly in broadening governance perspectives and addressing security challenges across the country.

    Chairman of the NIPSS Board, Senator Ken Nnamani, urged authorities at the national and subnational levels to adopt and implement research outputs from institutions such as NIPSS, expressing confidence in the Tinubu administration’s continued support for research-driven policymaking.

    In his welcome address, Prof. Omotayo said the Vice President’s presence at the ceremony underscored the Federal Government’s recognition of NIPSS as Nigeria’s premier policy and strategic research institute, highlighting achievements recorded under its five-year strategic plan.

    Goodwill messages were also delivered by the President of the NIPSS Alumni Association, Ambassador Emmanuel Okafor, and the Monitor-General of SEC 47, Col. Mukhtar Sani Daroda, who pledged the graduands’ continued commitment to national service.

    Highlights of the event included the presentation of certificates to the graduands by the Vice President, their induction into the Alumni Association of the National Institute, and the inauguration of four units of two-bedroom apartments donated to NIPSS by the SEC 47 participants.

    Meanwhile, the Vice President also interacted with strawberry farmers in Plateau State, reiterating the Federal Government’s resolve to transform Nigeria’s agricultural value chain in line with President Tinubu’s development agenda.

  • NIPSS is Nigeria’s intellectual power house, says First Lady

    NIPSS is Nigeria’s intellectual power house, says First Lady

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) remains Nigeria’s intellectual power house.

    Mrs. Tinubu said this yesterday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, while donating N250 million to the institute’s new centre named after her. The centre is called the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Centre for Gender Equality and Sustainable Development.

    The First Lady described the NIPSS as a beacon of intellectual excellence and strategic leadership in the country.

    Addressing stakeholders and 96 participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 of the institute, Mrs. Tinubu said: “I am delighted to join you today at this renowned institution — the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) – a beacon of intellectual excellence and strategic leadership in our nation.

    “I thank the board and management of NIPSS for inviting me to be part of today’s event. Since its establishment in 1979, the institute has remained Nigeria’s intellectual powerhouse — shaping policies, refining leadership, and driving national conversations.

    Read Also: Court fixes hearing date for N1.1bn lawsuit against NIPSS

    “The establishment of this Gender Centre represents a bold step towards bringing gender issues to the forefront of national development. This project would not have become a reality without the foresight of participants of the Senior Executive Course 45 (2023), who conceived, funded, and executed what we are witnessing today. Your contribution will leave a lasting legacy on our nation’s landscape.

    “The vision of this centre aligns perfectly with one of the key priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — to harness the full potential of all citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or economic status.”

    The First Lady stressed that the objectives of the centre also reflected Nigeria’s commitment under the National Gender Policy (2006), as well as global frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 5 and SDG 16), and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

    “Furthermore, when women are empowered, the whole society prospers. I am particularly pleased that the centre’s approach includes both men and women — recognising that inclusion must be a shared national agenda. True progress comes when both genders stand as allies, working together to dismantle stereotypes, open opportunities, and strengthen our shared humanity.

    “To the future scholars, policymakers, and leaders who will pass through this Gender Centre, I say: let it stand as a hub of ideas and action — where innovation blends with empathy, and where policies are forged with wisdom and compassion.

    “May this centre serve as a model of excellence for gender-focused policymakers and leaders — nurturing ideas that advance gender awareness, research, and gender-sensitive policymaking in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.

    “I am deeply humbled by your decision to name this Gender Centre in my honour, and I sincerely thank you for this recognition.

    “May this centre stand as a lasting symbol of our collective resolve to build a stronger, more equitable, and more prosperous Nigeria.”

    The chief host and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang said: “I want to sincerely thank Mr. President for appointing another great Nigerian and statesman as Chairman of the Board of this institute. With his wealth of experience and network, and with the strong support of our mother, the First Lady, the NIPSS will continue to rise to greater heights.”

    Governor Mutfwang, who announced the donation of a vehicle to the centre, prayed for the success of President Tinubu and the First Lady.

    The Director General of the NIPSS, Dr. Ayo Omotayo, explained that the centre’s mission is to promote gender equity, empowerment, and security through research, capacity development, and partnerships.

    “It offers a range of academic and professional programmes, such as the Gender, Governance and Leadership course; Gender and Development course; Gender, Peace and Security course; and Gender and Public Policy course. These initiatives are already shaping a new generation of gender-aware leaders who are committed to promoting equity and social inclusion in all spheres of national development.

    “We are also proud of the centre’s forward-looking initiatives, including the proposed First Lady Peace Summit and the Women Achievers Compendium, which will celebrate women’s contributions to national and community development while fostering collaboration among African women.”

  • NIPSS participants secure 21 inmates’ release from Plateau correctional centres

    NIPSS participants secure 21 inmates’ release from Plateau correctional centres

    The participants of Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, have secured the release of 21 inmates in correctional centres in Plateau.

    Col. Muktar Daruda, the Monitor-General of the SEC, made this known on Friday when he led other participants to the Jos Custodial Centre.

    Daruda, who explained that the gesture was part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), added that it aimed at decongesting the prison yards.

    “We are here as representatives of the SEC 47 participants of the national institute to secure the release of 21 inmates across the six custodial centres in the state.

    “We are here to complete the process that started a month ago, following the lecture by the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service during our defence week.

    “This is also part of our CSR which is contextualised by the Director General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, in line with its mantra, ‘Towards a better society’.

    Read Also: Shettima: Nigeria targets 32% emission cut by 2035

    “This has also given us the opportunity, as SEC participants, to contribute to the economic development of the nation,” he said.

    The Monitor General said the beneficiaries were largely those with low fines, ranging from N100,000 and below.

    Daruda, who warned the beneficiaries against committing other crimes, said that the gesture would enable them reunite with their families and the society.

    Earlier, Mr Ezekiel Kagah, the Controller of the NCoS in Plateau commended the participants for the gesture.

    Kagah, who described prison congestion as one of its major challenges, said that the move had brought relief to the service in the state and country in general.

    He called on other organisations and spirited individuals to emulate the participants of the national institute toward bringing succour to inmates in the state.

  • Court fixes hearing date for N1.1bn lawsuit against NIPSS

    Court fixes hearing date for N1.1bn lawsuit against NIPSS

    Justice Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja division, will hear the suit instituted by Mr. Yushau A. Shuaib challenging his withdrawal from the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, assigned the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1329/2025, and approved December 8, 2025, as the commencement date for hearing on the plaintiff’s grievances.

    Represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Yunus Abdulsalam, the publisher of PRNigeria is seeking a court order to set aside his withdrawal from the SEC 47 and have him reinstated with full rights, benefits, and privileges.

    Shuaib is suing NIPSS for ₦1 billion in damages over emotional and reputational harm, plus ₦100 million in litigation costs, alleging the institute ignored a pre-action notice sent to its Director General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo.

    In a 40-paragraph affidavit, the media expert, nominated for the course by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), detailed the sequence of events he claims constitute harassment, cyberbullying and arbitrary disciplinary actions.

    Shuaib recalled how he was queried over a PRNigeria news article titled “NIPSS Goes Digital…” which he insisted he neither authored nor edited, and an opinion article about the country’s “Blue Economy,” without any reference to the institute.

    The plaintiff, who claimed that the queries were unfounded and not supported by the institute’s Code of Conduct, stated that his withdrawal letter, dated June 2, 2025, was not officially served on him but only addressed to the NIPR.

    In the originating summons, he raised eight issues for determination, arguing that NIPSS’s actions were non licet and discriminatory. He said the alleged access of his email without consent violated the right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution. 

    Furthermore, Shuaib contends that the punitive action taken against him for professional opinions expressed in a published article that had nothing to do with NIPSS breached his guaranteed freedom of expression under Section 39(1).

    He faulted his suspension and withdrawal from the course, saying it was based on the alleged “externalisation of the subject” as he had no opportunity of explanation, in violation of constitutional right to a fair hearing under Section 36(1).

    Shuaib, who fully paid the ₦18.3 million course fees, maintained that denying him participation in the international study tour amounted to both a breach of contract and discrimination.

    The publisher also informed the court that the decision to bar other participants from interacting with him and removing him from official platforms amounted to harassment, cyberbullying, and forced isolation.

    The plaintiff is seeking declarations that NIPSS had no authority to penalise him for content put out by an independent platform and that his withdrawal from the Senior Executive Course 47 was entirely unlawful.

  • Sacked student slams N1.1b suit against NIPSS

    Sacked student slams N1.1b suit against NIPSS

    A member of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), whose membership was withdrawn by the institute, has sued for N1.1billion.

    The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1329/2025, was filed by Yushau Shuaib, the founder of a media group, PRNigeria, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    In the suit filed by his lawyer, Yunus Abdulsalam (SAN), Shuaibu is, among others, demanding ₦1 billion in general, special, and aggravated damages against NIPSS over alleged emotional trauma and reputational damage.

    He is also seeking an additional ₦100 million as litigation costs, having issued a pre-action notice on June 16, 2025, to the Institute’s Director General, Professor Ayo Omotayo, which was allegedly ignored by the management.

    Read Also: CJN to inaugurate 57 new SANs September 29

    The plaintiff wants an order setting aside his withdrawal from SEC 47 and reinstating him with full rights, benefits, and privileges.

    Shuaib is also asking for a perpetual injunction restraining NIPSS, its agents, or officials from further harassment, intimidation, or cyberbullying.

    In his originating summons, the plaintiff raised eight issues for determination. He argued that the publication of a news article by PRNigeria, an independent media organisation, cannot lawfully be attributed to him as misconduct when he neither authored nor endorsed it.

    He also questioned whether NIPSS’s alleged access and use of his private email without consent violated his constitutional right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Shuaib further contended that disciplinary action against him for professional opinions expressed in a published article breached his right to freedom of expression guaranteed by Section 39(1).

    He argued that barring participants from interacting with him and removing him from official platforms amounted to harassment, cyberbullying, and forced isolation.

    He maintained that denying him participation in the international study tour, despite his full payment of ₦18.3 million course fees, constituted discrimination and breach of contract.

    He also faulted his suspension and withdrawal from the course based on alleged “externalisation of the subject” without a fair hearing, describing it as a violation of his constitutional right under Section 36(1).

    Shuaib is therefore seeking declarations that the actions of NIPSS were unlawful, unjustifiable, discriminatory, and unsupported by any regulation guiding the institute.

    In a 40-paragraph affidavit, Shuaib stated that he was nominated by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to represent it at the course, a nomination approved by the President of Nigeria.

    He attached his admission letter, proof of payment of ₦18.3 million, and evidence of compliance with NIPSS requirements, including handing over responsibilities at his company, Image Merchants Promotion Limited, publishers of PRNigeria.

    He alleged that despite complying with institutional rules, he was subjected to harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary disciplinary actions.

    According to him, on March 24, he received a query over a PRNigeria article titled “NIPSS Goes Digital; Launches Paperless Platform after Submitting Landmark Report to President Tinubu.”

    Shuaib insisted he neither authored nor edited the article, which other media outlets had widely reported.

    He further alleged that on April 25, NIPSS again queried him about an internal email concerning an editorial, “Understanding the ‘Blue’ in the Blue Economy.”

    He stated the article was a professional reflection containing no sensitive information, yet NIPSS intercepted it before it could be published.

    Shuaib claimed that the queries were unfounded and not supported by the NIPSS Code of Conduct. He further alleged that his withdrawal letter dated June 2, 2025, was curiously addressed only to NIPR without being officially served on him.

    The plaintiff is asking the court to reinstate him into SEC 47 with full privileges, to declare that NIPSS has no authority to penalise him for content published by an independent platform, to hold that accessing his private emails violated his constitutional rights, and to declare his withdrawal unlawful, unjustifiable, and discriminatory.

  • NIPSS’s rejoinder: The real heart of the matter

    NIPSS’s rejoinder: The real heart of the matter

    • By AbdulRahman AbdulRaheem

    We have read, with keen interest and deep concern, the rejoinder issued by Professor Sola Adeyanju, Head of Public Affairs at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in response to widespread media reports on the unjust suspension of Mr. Yushau A. Shuaib—renowned communication strategist, founder of PRNigeria, and a participant of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47.

    This statement is not a defense of my boss. Rather, it is a necessary and informed response, especially as PRNigeria’s digital infrastructure—specifically its editorial email—was unlawfully accessed by NIPSS. More importantly, the news article that prompted the first query against Mr. Shuaib, titled “NIPSS Goes Digital”, was written under my editorial authority. I, not Mr. Shuaib, bear full editorial responsibility, and I am not affiliated with NIPSS.

    Yet, in its rejoinder, NIPSS conspicuously ignores the gravest issue: the unauthorised interception of our official editorial email—containing confidential correspondence, story leads, and sensitive information. This intrusion amounts to a violation of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which criminalises unlawful access to digital communication.

    Following the incident, PRNigeria’s broader infrastructure—including those of Economic Confidential and Tech Digest—has suffered repeated attempted breaches. We are currently working with cybersecurity experts and legal counsel to investigate the scope and timeline of these violations, and we will pursue legal redress where necessary.

    NIPSS must answer a direct question: Did the Institute, or anyone acting on its instruction, access PRNigeria’s editorial email without legal authorisation? If so, under what justification and legal framework? In a democratic society, such questions cannot be brushed aside as mere internal disciplinary affairs.

    It is also baffling that Mr. Shuaib was punished for an editorial decision in a newsroom he formally handed over before commencing the NIPSS course. A copy of that handover letter was officially submitted to NIPSS management. Punishing a participant for content he neither wrote nor cleared—after he had relinquished control—raises serious questions about motive and fairness.

    Moreover, Mr. Shuaib’s second article, “Understanding the ‘Blue’ in the Blue Economy”, did not mention NIPSS at all. It was a thought leadership piece, rooted in public knowledge, that merely aligned with national policy themes under President Tinubu. That this was twisted into a disciplinary offence speaks volumes.

    Let us be clear: Mr. Shuaib is not an agitator. His record in promoting peaceful coexistence, strategic communication, and public accountability spans decades. His awards from both national and international bodies attest to this. To suggest, as the rejoinder does, that he has undermined NIPR or used his platform for blackmail is not only false but defamatory.

    In fact, the lack of procedural transparency in NIPSS’s actions is staggering. The official suspension letter failed to mention any duration, yet the rejoinder now retroactively imposes a six-week term. What kind of disciplinary process withholds such vital information from the subject while revealing it publicly afterward?

    Mr. Shuaib paid ₦18.2 million for a programme that includes study tours and intellectual engagement. Yet, he was suspended, excluded from study tours, barred from internal communication channels, and effectively ostracised—without a formal hearing or final verdict.

    Let us ask: What sort of think tank treats its intellectuals like insubordinate schoolboys? What world-class strategic institute disciplines participants for exercising editorial independence or engaging in national discourse? At Harvard’s Kennedy School, Chatham House in the UK, or Singapore’s Civil Service College, such views are celebrated, not silenced.

    Read Also: Otedola eulogises Tinubu, describes President as history maker

    NIPSS’s treatment of Mr. Shuaib undermines everything the Institute claims to stand for: critical thinking, policy innovation, and ethical leadership. Instead, it sends a chilling message—conform or be punished. This issue goes beyond the victimisation of one individual; it speaks to the kind of leadership and governance culture we are normalising.

    In the petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, two key personalities were referenced—Barrister Nima Salman Mann, Acting Director of Studies, and Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha, a Directing Staff. The question remains: were these officials acting under the directive of the Director General of NIPSS, or on their own accord? Clarifying this would help identify who should be held accountable for this deeply embarrassing episode—not just for Mr. Shuaib, the victim but for the Institute itself.

    Even more troubling is the NIPSS spokesperson’s attempt to rationalise why a positive media report on the government’s economic reforms warranted disciplinary action under vague and non-existent regulations. If an institution entrusted with shaping national policy cannot accommodate complimentary narratives about the administration it serves, how will it respond to constructive dissent or uphold professional independence?

    Must everything be militarised? Are participants to be treated as schoolchildren—subjected to bullying and suppression—rather than as experienced professionals deserving of respect and intellectual freedom?

    Therefore, we respectfully call on NIPSS to address and clarify the issue of digital surveillance and unauthorised email access; to engage PRNigeria through appropriate editorial channels rather than targeting its founder; to reaffirm its commitment to transparency, intellectual freedom, and justice; and to acknowledge and rectify the procedural irregularities that marred its disciplinary process.

    In moments like this, institutions are judged not by the power they wield but by the values they uphold. NIPSS has a choice—to retreat into arrogance or to lead with accountability. The world is watching. So are we.

    AbdulRahman AbdulRaheem is the Managing Editor of PRNigeria

  • We won’t succumb to blackmail from our students, says NIPSS

    We won’t succumb to blackmail from our students, says NIPSS

    …reaffirms commitment to leadership training

    The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has reiterated its commitment to grooming credible leaders for national development, declaring that it will not succumb to what it described as blackmail by students unwilling to abide by the Institute’s rules.

    In a statement on Sunday, Head of Public Affairs at the Institute, Prof. Sola Adeyanju, reacted to a media report linked to a student identified simply as Yeshua, describing it as an attempt to discredit the institution.

    Adeyanju noted that a petition allegedly sent to the President but instead published in the media contained claims of intimidation, which he dismissed as baseless. He maintained that NIPSS remains focused on its core mandate of training top decision-makers and policy-makers across the public and private sectors.

    “As Nigeria’s foremost policy think tank, NIPSS is mandated to build leaders who are effective, ethical, and capable of making sound decisions in their organisations and for the country,” he stated.

    He said, “In doing this, it has set some parameters along the lines of discipline, time management, emotional intelligence, respect for rules and regulations, respect for other people’s rights, and many more. Those who have passed through the National Institute trainings, particularly the Senior Executive Course, leading to the award of the Member of the National Institute (mni), will attest to this.

    “The performance of the products of the National Institute has been acknowledged in Nigeria and around the world; that is in addition to its cutting-edge, top-notch research results for national development. It has not, at any time, been found wanting in the discharge of all its mandates and obligations.

    “This is the 47th Course and the graduates with mni are always proud and happy to raise their shoulders high wherever they find themselves for the level of moulding they have received from the National Institute.

    “Coming to the specific issue of Mal Yushau, it is a case of someone who would not allow himself to be subjected to constituted authorities in the Institute. One of the cardinal rules of the National Institute is to keep whatever is discussed within, particularly during plenary, confidential.

    “This is a rule that all participants have signed to uphold. It is modelled along the Chatham House Rule. The essence is to give all our resource persons the freedom of intellectual and academic independence to speak their minds. Whatever will be published should be after the course is concluded. In fact, some process their Individual Research Projects into books, with approval from the Management.

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    “However, Mr Yushau, being a PR and media person, violated this rule by publishing what transpired in the Institute. He got it wrong by insinuating that he meant well. The truth is, the content is immaterial; the act of publishing when you are not supposed to is what matters.

    “Mr Yushau knows very well that he signed the document where he promised to abide by this rule. Upon violation, he was queried and he responded by apologising. Thereafter, he was warned that it should never happen again.

    “However, it did not take Mr Yushau long before re-violating the same rule he was warned about. He published another story on the theme of the study given to the Senior Executive Participants of SEC 47, 2025, and NIPSS, which he belonged to, using his byline.

    “The study is still ongoing and should not, by any imagination, be published, in part or full, until the Course is over. This is in flagrant violation of the rules for which he was appropriately queried for the second time.

    ‘However, instead of replying to the query accordingly, Mr Yushau threw caution to the wind and decided to lecture and threaten the National Institute on the inappropriateness of issuing him a query. This he did in bad faith. Let us reiterate that the cheap blackmail of saying the content was to support Mr President on his agenda cannot hold.

    We are all working towards the success of Mr President, as exemplified in the many detailed research and other activities of the Institute being submitted to Mr President from time to time.

    “Nevertheless, being an orderly and law-abiding Institution, with a reputation built over the years with a clear and known ethos and standards, Mr Yushau was given a suspension for six weeks, after receiving the second query for the same offence. He was still serving the suspension when he sent a letter of complaint to the media, insinuating bullying.

    “We need to stress here that all we asked Mr Yushau to do is obey laid down rules and regulations, and this is not tantamount to bullying in whatever way. The newspaper did a story on this, and the Director General gave a detailed response.

    “As if that was not enough, his case is still being considered, as he has been invited by the Disciplinary Committee set up by the Management to look into his case and give him a fair hearing when he decided to publish (again) a petition meant for Mr President in the media. One would have thought that a petition meant for Mr President would be submitted in his office.

    “We are aware that he has been going from one media house to another in order to blackmail the National Institute. This is counterproductive, as the National Institute will not subject itself to blackmail by a candidate who refuses to obey simple rules and regulations.

    “The National Institute, in line with the dreams of its founding fathers, many of whom are still alive, will not reduce the standard of producing decent, courteous, sound and effective leaders for the country. Let us say here that Mr Yushau is using his affiliation with the media for a negative cause.

    “Contrary to his claims, he is actually trying to denigrate the very National think tank, which is the pride of Nigeria, for his selfish end. That Mr Yushau’s nomination came from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR (an organisation we are all proud of) speaks volumes.

    “He has not demonstrated the very tenet of public relations, as he has not only let himself down professionally, but he has let his nominating agency down. We are looking for leaders with emotional intelligence, not those who will betray his or her temperament when faced with the issue of discipline.

    “Without prejudice to the outcome of his letter to Mr President, let it be on record that the NIPR has also set up a panel of inquiry to look into his case. The questions Mr Yushau should ask himself are: how many participants are in his Course, and how many of them have been queried twice within two months? For the benefit of doubt, there are 96 of them, and he is the only one who has gotten two queries.

    “We leave this to the general public to judge. In conclusion, the Disciplinary Committee set up to look into his case has submitted its report to Management, and the six-week suspension has not lapsed, so we await the verdict of Management on his case. Until then, we want to thank all our media organisations for holding on to the truth.”

  • NIPSS organises leadership training for Ogun permanent secretaries

    NIPSS organises leadership training for Ogun permanent secretaries

    The Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies (NIPSS-OSKASOGS), Ago Iwoye—an arm of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS)—is set to host a five-day strategic leadership and management course for Permanent Secretaries in Ogun State.

    In a statement, the Head of the Institute’s Public Affairs Unit, Yemi Alaka, said the initiative is in line with the institute’s mandate to conduct policy-oriented research and deliver specialized training for policymakers in both the public and private sectors.

    Alaka explained that the course is aimed at strengthening strategic leadership and governance capabilities, reflecting NIPSS-OSKASOGS’s dedication to sustainable development. 

    Read Also: Petrol prices will drop to N750 before end of 2025 – NIPSS

    The programme is designed to equip Ogun State Permanent Secretaries and senior government officials with critical skills in policy application, strategic decision-making, and effective management tools for improved governance.

    The statement said the training which is scheduled for April 7th to 11th, 2025 Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye Campus will be attended by Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (CON), and Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland. 

  • Petrol prices will drop to N750 before end of 2025 – NIPSS

    Petrol prices will drop to N750 before end of 2025 – NIPSS

    The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has assured that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) will decline as Dangote Refinery and other local refineries commence full operations.

    Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, NIPSS Director-General Ayo Omotayo expressed optimism that fuel prices would fall once more refineries become operational.

    “With the removal of the first subsidy, we have Dangote Refinery coming on. We have the other refineries. The refinery in Port Harcourt has worked continuously for 110 days if I’ve counted right! These are the short-term gains,” Omotayo said.

    He projected that petrol prices could drop to around ₦750 per litre before the end of the year with a more stable exchange rate.

    “We’re looking at it coming down as low as ₦750 before the end of the year. And of course, foreign exchange will still drop to about 1.3 before the end of the year, and it is going to continue like that as more of our refineries come into place.

    “We will become a net exporter in the long run,” he added.

    Omotayo acknowledged the current economic hardships but insisted that the policy would benefit Nigerians in the long run.

    Read Also: UK petrol prices at lowest level since February

    “The gains at this time are very little, but in the long run, we will make up for whatever sacrifices we have made today as Nigerians,” he stated.

    Defending the subsidy removal, he argued that while the immediate impact is challenging, the long-term benefits outweigh the present struggles.

    “Most of the benefits will come in the medium and long term. For now, the government has introduced palliatives to help ease the burden on the poor. We all need to adjust our spending.”

    He emphasized that despite the challenges, Nigeria would eventually recover from the sacrifices made today.

  • NIPSS DG hails Portland gas for leading in vehicle conversion to CNG

    NIPSS DG hails Portland gas for leading in vehicle conversion to CNG

    The Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, Professor Ayo Omotayo, has praised Portland Gas for its pioneering efforts in the conversion of vehicles from petrol consumption to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

    Omotayo, who made the commendation during a tour of the conversion centre of NASENI-Portland Gas in Abuja on Monday, emphasised the importance of the embracing CNG as alternative to petrol in order to promote cleaner energy, reduce cost of transportation and contribute to environmental sustainability.

    “I must tell you that having visited this facility, I am impressed by what I have seen because not only is Portland leading the surge for green energy, it is also buying into government’s promotion of the use of CNG. If we have more vehicles driven by CNG, the cost of transportation will be lower,” he said.

    He noted that the innovative shift to CNG by the government aligns with global trends towards greener energy solutions and sets a positive example for other industry players to follow.

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    “I wish other companies who have the capacity can also do the same thing so that we can have more vehicles converted, have lower cost of running our vehicles and at the same time have greener air to breathe,” he said.

    The Director General, who said Portland Gas is actually implementing the theme of last year’s parley of NIPSS, which focused on the utilization of gas as a transition fuel, reaffirmed NIPSS’s commitment to advocating for the conversion of more vehicles to CNG, as part of the institute’s broader vision for sustainable energy and environmental conservation.

    Speaking to newsmen after conducting the Director-General around the NASENI-Portland Gas facility, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Folajimi Lai Mohammed, stated that they were working on forging a partnership with NIPSS to train more artisans in the conversion of vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

    “The reason for this tour is to see how we can engage NIPSS as a partner in terms of making people to understand the nature of the conversion not just only from the commercial point of view but from the safety point of view.

    “We get a lot of artisans and people interested in the art of conversion and so what we want to do is to partner with NIPSS to make sure that some sort of certification can come with the partnership so that we can be seen and recognized as authorized people within the CNG space,” he stated.

    Mohammed stressed that with the removal of the petrol subsidy, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) remains the only viable alternative for more affordable fuel.