…Expresses ‘deep appreciations’ to funders of Project.
by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed deep appreciation to NIPSS and participants of ‘Senior Executive Course 45 (2023),’ who conceived and funded the project, describing it as a bold initiative that aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She announced a ₦250 million donation in support of the Centre, pledging that it will stand as “a lasting symbol of our collective resolve to build a just and prosperous Nigeria.”
According to her, women are empowered, the entire society prospers,” she emphasized. “This Centre’s approach rightly includes both men and women, recognizing that inclusion must be a shared national agenda.”
Also, the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has described the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, as an epoch-making event that reaffirms the nation’s resolve towards gender equity, inclusive governance, and transformative leadership.
Speaking during the commissioning of the ‘Senator Oluremi Tinubu Gender and Public Policy Study Centre’ on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Governor Mutfwang praised the First Lady’s “grace, compassion, and dignity,” noting that she has redefined the role of the Office of the First Lady through purposeful leadership and impactful advocacy.
“We have been beneficiaries of her motherly compassion, love, and empathy in several respects. She has raised the bar in the Office of the First Lady by carrying out her duties with honour, dignity, and grace,” the governor stated.
Governor Mutfwang commended NIPSS for establishing a dedicated centre for gender-focused policy research, describing it as “a visionary and long overdue step towards achieving balanced leadership and sustainable development.”
He further called for affirmative action to make gender inclusion a national priority, and announced a donation of a vehicle to support the operations of the new Centre.
“Gender issues must become a national priority. We have walked the talk by bringing women into key decision-making positions in Plateau State, and the benefits are evident. Empowering women is not just about women, it is about securing the future of every family and our nation,” he added.
During the event, Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, applauded the establishment of the Gender Centre of Excellence as “a milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards inclusive leadership and sustainable national development.” He assured that NIPSS would continue to promote gender equity through research, training, and strategic dialogue.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, mni, represented by Major-General U.I. Mohammed, mni, commended the First Lady for “breaking barriers and inspiring Nigerian women to take their rightful place in nation-building.” He pledged AANI’s full cooperation with the new Centre to deepen gender mainstreaming and inclusive governance.
Also speaking, Colonel Ibrahim Yusuf, mni, Monitor-General of Senior Executive Course 45, represented by Dr. Kingsley Ozele, mni, described the project as the collective legacy of the 97 participants who conceived and executed it as part of their contribution to Nigeria’s sustainable development.
“Beyond its physical structure, this project embodies our shared desire to strengthen NIPSS’s capacity for learning, innovation, and leadership,” he stated. “It stands as a hub for research, advocacy, and collaboration on gender-related issues that will help shape equitable policies for our nation.”
In a similar vein, Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, Executive Director of the Development Research and Project Centre (DRPC), NIPSS’s oldest civil society partner, hailed the Centre as “a bold declaration that gender equity is central to Nigeria’s development vision.”
She pledged that DRPC will continue to provide technical support and research collaboration to ensure the Centre becomes “a beacon of transformative policy-thinking across Africa.”
The ‘Senator Oluremi Tinubu Gender Centre of Excellence’ aims to become Africa’s foremost hub for gender-aware leadership, public policy research, and inclusive development. Its mission is to promote gender equity and empowerment through evidence-based research, capacity building, and strategic partnerships.
As part of its future agenda, the Centre plans to host the First Lady Peace Summit, a continental platform for women leaders to promote peace-building and sustainable development, and to publish a “Women Achievers Compendium” highlighting women’s contributions to national progress.