The graduation of Senior Executive Course 47 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, marked more than the completion of an academic program; it underscored Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to leadership, policy relevance, and national renewal.

Addressing the gathering, the Director General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, highlighted the strategic importance of the SEC 47 study on Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, a presidential assignment that received commendation at the highest level. He emphasized that the course was designed to produce leaders capable of translating research into implementable policies, while also positioning NIPSS as a central contributor to national development through high-impact research, institutional reform, and global partnerships.

Reinforcing this message, Vice President Kashim Shettima stressed that knowledge is inseparable from responsibility. He described the graduating class as a cross-section of Nigeria’s finest minds and affirmed that NIPSS remains the nation’s foremost policy think tank. According to him, the value of education lies not in titles or certificates but in the ability to convert insight into action, policy into results, and leadership into national progress. He also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and institutional reforms that strengthen NIPSS and maximize its impact.

From the alumni perspective, Ambassador Obi Okafor, President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), welcomed the graduates into a prestigious but demanding community. He reminded them that MNI status carries ethical obligations and collective responsibility, urging them to uphold the values of integrity, service, and national loyalty. He emphasized that the strength of the Institute lies not only in its training but also in the conduct and contributions of its alumni across Nigeria’s governance landscape.

Together, the messages from the three leaders converged on a single theme: leadership is service, knowledge is duty, and national progress depends on disciplined, accountable, and united leadership.

Engr Ifeanyi Jude Ngama, mni
AANI National Publicity Secretary