By Fatima Saka
The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs on Tuesday raised serious concerns over chronic underfunding, aging infrastructure and staff retention challenges at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), as its Director-General, Ayo Omotayo, appeared before the panel for oversight.
The committee, chaired by Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, interrogated the management of the institute on its financial structure, research impact, and long-term sustainability, with lawmakers questioning whether Nigeria’s apex policy think-tank can continue to operate effectively under its current funding model.
Responding to questions, Omotayo disclosed that the institute requires about N30 billion to renew its aging infrastructure as it approaches its 50th anniversary. He noted that many of the participant suites and facilities are old and expensive to maintain, while erratic electricity supply forces the institute to rely heavily on generators to guarantee 24-hour power for participants.
“We are barely able to maintain the facilities. For the institute to run as a world-class institution that Nigerians can be proud of, the infrastructure must be renewed,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure, the DG identified poor remuneration as a major obstacle to retaining top intellectual talent. According to him, NIPSS staff are paid under the regular civil service salary structure despite the demanding and round-the-clock nature of their work.
“Our resource persons work beyond regular hours. Sometimes we work till 5 a.m. preparing critical reports for Mr. President. Yet they are paid as civil servants who close by 4 p.m. This makes it difficult to retain the best hands,” Omotayo told the committee.
He revealed that discussions had been initiated with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to secure a special salary structure for the institute but said no concrete approval had yet been granted.
Lawmakers also expressed concern that valuable research outputs generated by NIPSS participants were not being adequately utilized. One senator noted that substantial public funds are spent sponsoring participants locally and internationally to conduct research, yet many of the reports remain underutilized.
In response, Omotayo said the institute has digitized research reports from 2012 to 2025, including policy briefs and panel reports, making them accessible online. He added that NIPSS runs a “Policy TV” platform to disseminate findings more widely and shares reports with the Presidency and relevant ministries.
The committee further questioned the institute’s age eligibility policy for participants, arguing that limiting admission to senior officials close to retirement could undermine long-term national benefit. Some lawmakers advocated for younger, knowledge-driven professionals to be given greater access to the programme.
Omotayo explained that eligibility is often tied to rank within the civil service and military, where promotion timelines make it difficult for younger officers to qualify. However, he acknowledged ongoing efforts to review participation criteria to strike a balance between experience and longevity of service.
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Chairman Onyesoh assured the institute of the committee’s support, while urging stronger engagement with the National Assembly to ensure research findings inform legislative debates and national policy formulation.
The oversight session underscored growing concern within the Senate that without urgent structural and financial reforms, Nigeria’s foremost policy institute may struggle to maintain its strategic relevance in a fast-evolving, knowledge-driven global environment.
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