The graduation of Senior Executive Course 47 at NIPSS highlighted the evolving expectations placed on Nigeria’s senior leadership class, expectations defined by responsibility, unity, and service.
Professor Ayo Omotayo underscored that SEC 47 was intentionally rigorous, policy-driven, and forward-looking. From the Blue Economy study to institutional reforms and strategic partnerships, he positioned NIPSS as a national asset tasked with anticipating challenges and shaping governance solutions. He charged the graduates to leave as change agents, equipped not only with knowledge but also with the discipline to apply it.
Vice President Kashim Shettima’s address reinforced the gravity of this responsibility. He reminded graduates that knowledge must never become ornamental. In a diverse and complex nation like Nigeria, leadership requires courage, evidence-based decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to national unity. He stressed that the success of Nigeria is of global importance and that SEC 47 graduates now share in the responsibility of safeguarding that future.
Ambassador Obi Okafor brought the conversation home by focusing on character and continuity. As he inducted the graduates into AANI, he emphasized that the MNI badge symbolizes trust earned over decades. He encouraged the graduates to sustain the bonds formed during the course, remain active within alumni structures, and conduct themselves in ways that strengthen the credibility of the Institute and the nation.
Together, the voices of the DG, the vice president, and the AANI president delivered a unified message: leadership is not a privilege to enjoy but a burden to carry for Nigeria, for its institutions, and for generations yet to come.
