Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima says the Presidential Initiative for Innovation, Policy Evaluation, and Research (PIIPER), is targeted at transforming policymaking in the country through a multifaceted approach.
He outlined the approaches to include “Encompassing data gathering, rigorous research, innovation integration, stakeholder engagement and thorough documentation of government functions and decisions.”
VP Shettima disclosed this on Friday during a meeting with a delegation from the Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
It was a pre-launch meeting of the Presidential Initiative for Innovation, Policy Evaluation, and Research (PIIPER).
Promoting Transparency
The Vice President said:“PIIPER will further extend its reach by coordinating national policy research and innovation fellowships, fostering regular dialogues, and engaging in comparative analyses to benchmark Nigerian policies globally.
“This initiative is geared towards addressing Nigeria’s development challenges, promoting transparency, and collaboration to ensure effective governance and sustainable development.”
VP Shettima sought collaboration on PIIPER with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and its delegation from Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, describing the initiative as a transformative journey.
He particularly applauded Professor David Luke and Professor Tim Allen “For their dedication to unravelling the intricacies of the political economy of Africa through their impactful contributions at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa”.
The Vice President singled out Professor Luke who he said has taken a bold step towards shared objectives with the unveiling of his work, “How Africa Trades,” describing it as an exciting chapter.
He continued: “My anticipation to meet you grew exponentially when I learned about the mission and the intellectual depth embedded in this significant work.”
Nigerian Brand
The leader of the delegation and Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Cooperation, Dapo Oyewole, who is also the coordinator of the LSE Alumni Association in Abuja, said part of his job is to take the best of Nigeria to the world and attract the best of the world to Nigeria.
“Our work will help to bridge the gap between research and policy and attract the best ideas emanating from rigorous research and analysis from around the world in the achievement of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Also, the Director of the Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa and Professor of Development Anthropology in LSE’s Department of International Development, Tim Allen, said the goal of the initiative is to bring Africa at the core of what the LSE does.
Partnership
The Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, said her office is able to foster intra-state trade partnerships and bolster productivity.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Research and Analytics, Gimba Kakanda, noted that there was a greater need for a strong link between academia and society, emphasizing the need for government to be guided by research in policy making.
