Participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, have successfully concluded a two-day orientation tour across key institutions in Plateau State, as part of activities marking the commencement of the Course.
The orientation tour, which began on Thursday, February 12, 2026, was designed to familiarise participants with their host environment and expose them to the strategic economic, cultural, and governance landscape of Plateau State. The engagements align with the study theme of SEC 48, “Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” and provided practical insights into the role of creativity, culture, innovation, and grassroots institutions in national development.
During the tour, participants visited the National Film Corporation and the National Film Institute, Jos, where discussions focused on film and media as drivers of job creation, innovation, and economic diversification. The delegation also paid courtesy visits to traditional institutions, including the Palace of the Gbom Gwom Jos and the Gwom Rwei Kuru, highlighting the role of traditional leadership in promoting peace, social cohesion, and community-driven development.
Further engagements took participants to the Plateau State Tourism Board and Plateau State Creative, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor on Creativity and Entertainment, where Plateau State’s tourism assets and growing creative ecosystem were showcased as critical pillars of the Orange Economy.
On Friday, February 13, 2026, the tour continued with visits to the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Jos, the Plateau State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency, and the Jos South Local Government Secretariat. These engagements emphasised the importance of performing arts, digital innovation, youth entrepreneurship, and effective local governance in achieving sustainable development.
A major highlight of the orientation tour was a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, at the Government House, Jos. Presenting the message of the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, Brigadier General L. A. Jimoh (rtd) mni expressed appreciation to the Plateau State Government for its continued support to the Institute and for providing an enabling environment for intellectual engagement, policy dialogue, and leadership development.
The Director-General commended the Plateau State Government’s commitment to peacebuilding, cultural preservation, and economic development, noting that the insights gained from the orientation tour would significantly enrich the research, discussions, and policy recommendations of SEC 48 participants. He reaffirmed NIPSS’ commitment to strengthening its partnership with Plateau State in pursuit of shared national development objectives.
In his response, Governor Mutfwang noted that the visit of SEC 48 to Plateau State, with its focus on Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship, is both timely and strategic. He emphasized that Plateau State, widely recognized as a hub for tourism, offers a unique environment that aligns strongly with the objectives of the programme.
Meanwhile, the formal inauguration of the Senior Executive Course 48 is scheduled to hold on Monday, February 16, 2026, at NIPSS, Kuru. The inauguration, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour, will officially mark the commencement of the ten-month programme designed to prepare senior leaders for high-level policy analysis, strategic thinking, and national leadership.
The orientation tour and forthcoming inauguration underscore NIPSS’ continued commitment to grounding strategic leadership training in practical realities that advance sustainable development and national transformation.
Signed:
Dr Osime Samuel, mni
Head, Public Affairs Department
National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru
