Tinubu tasks Nigerian policymakers to reinvent themselves

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria cannot be the best version of itself or compete with the rest of the world if its policymakers are not working overtime to reinvent themselves.

The President, who stated that knowledge is the most practical bridge to the future, affirmed that this has been the legacy preserved for decades by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the graduation ceremony of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024, of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, said the rescheduled graduation ceremony is a tradition that elevates Nigeria’s national esteem and strengthens the country’s confidence in the capacity of its workforce across sectors.

He highlighted that the theme for this year’s course, Digital Economy, Youth Employment, and Sustainable Job Creation, is a timely intervention, adding that it reflects the direction in which the world is headed and aligns with the focus of the administration.

“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.

The President disclosed that Nigeria cannot cultivate the right mentality for the digital age without recognising that its greatest asset as a nation is not just the promise of demographic dividends but the youthfulness of its population.

“Young people constitute over 60% of Nigeria’s population, and 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.

“This is why we have taken bold steps to reposition Nigeria’s digital economy. We have prioritised broadband expansion, digital infrastructure development, and technology-driven entrepreneurship through strategic initiatives such as the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy and the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy. These align with our aspiration to make Nigeria a leading digital economy and a global player in the innovation ecosystem.

“Beyond the digital economy, we are implementing policies to enhance vocational and technical education, boost agriculture, and stimulate manufacturing through targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through initiatives like the Renewed Hope Skills Acquisition Programme, we are equipping young Nigerians with practical skills in technology, construction, and the creative industries,” he said.

In agriculture, the President pointed out that the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) are fostering value-added production, while the Presidential Palliative Programme for MSMEs is providing grants and low-interest loans to small businesses.

He added that the administration’s focus is on empowering young Nigerians with the skills and resources necessary to thrive in the modern job market and ensuring that economic growth translates into real opportunities for all.

The President noted that NIPSS has been a fulcrum of strategic thought, producing distinguished leaders, policymakers, and administrators who have tackled the most complex challenges of national development. He added that through rigorous research, executive training, and policy dialogues, the Institute has influenced major national policies, from economic diversification strategies to security sector reforms.

He therefore urged the graduands to be ambassadors of the reforms they have championed and to return to their respective organisations and communities with a renewed sense of purpose.

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