Vice President Kashim Shettima urges graduates of the Senior Executive Course 47 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, to move beyond academic success and convert policy ideas into practical actions that drive national development. He gives the charge at the 2025 graduation ceremony, describing the programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future leadership.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the Vice President says the responsibility of the graduates goes beyond certificates, noting that Nigeria needs leaders who can implement policies and deliver results. He assures the audience that the Federal Government will study and support the recommendations from the course report, adding that effective implementation can bring measurable progress across key sectors.
A total of 96 participants graduate from the ten-month Senior Executive Course 47, themed “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.” The programme features rigorous classroom sessions, field research, and local and international study tours designed to strengthen strategic thinking, policy formulation, and decision-making at senior levels of governance.
Mediaplusng.com reports that Vice President Shettima highlights the importance of the blue economy to Nigeria’s growth, stressing that marine and aquatic resources can unlock jobs, revenue, and sustainable development if properly managed. He encourages the graduates to apply their training in public service, security, and the private sector to support national priorities.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, calls on the graduates to prove the value of their training through solution-driven contributions in their institutions. He urges them to raise the quality of policy memos and decisions, saying the country expects clear thinking and practical solutions from NIPSS alumni. The governor also reaffirms Plateau State’s commitment to continued partnership with the institute.
The Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, says the institute remains central to shaping national policy and strategic decisions. He explains that NIPSS focuses on building leaders who can respond to complex challenges, especially in emerging sectors like the blue economy. He urges the graduates to think critically about Nigeria’s rivers, oceans, and coastal assets as tools for inclusive growth.
A key moment of the ceremony is the oath of service and integrity taken by the graduates, symbolising their commitment to ethical leadership and national service. Their spouses later place the NIPSS badges on them, reflecting shared responsibility and support in their leadership journey.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Course 47 Monitor-General, Colonel Mukhtar Daroda, says the programme reshapes their mindset, skills, and sense of duty. He notes that the course deepens their understanding of Nigeria’s blue economy and strengthens their resolve to offer practical solutions to national challenges.
The graduation ceremony draws top government officials, security chiefs, academics, and family members. As the graduates return to their respective roles across government and industry, expectations remain high that they will translate policy knowledge into action, strengthen collaboration, and support sustainable development in Nigeria.
