With the inauguration of the governing council of The Progressive Institute (TPI) at its national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a decisive step towards entrenching ideology-driven politics and policy-based governance in Nigeria.
At the event, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda described the development as a major milestone in the institutional strengthening of the APC and the Nigerian political landscape, adding that it signalled the party’s resolve to build a world-class political foundation comparable to the best in global democratic systems.
He noted that the inauguration concluded the process of establishing the governance structure of the institute, which was unveiled on 6 September 2024, and positions TPI as the intellectual engine and policy think tank of the party.
According to Yilwatda, TPI was established at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, as part of a deliberate effort to deepen ideological clarity within the APC, strengthen research capacity, and promote issue-based politics not only within the ruling party but across Nigeria’s entire party system.
He emphasised that the President’s vision is to nurture a more resilient, competitive, and policy-focused democracy anchored on strong political institutions rather than personalities.
He added that the inauguration of the governing council marks the beginning of a new phase for the Institute, one focused on driving governance reforms, leadership development, capacity building, and evidence-based policymaking that will enhance democratic governance and national development.
Yilwatda noted that TPI has been duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a company limited by guarantee and has received approvals from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education.
Hefurther said that APC, despite being the ruling party, ensured strict compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements to guarantee TPI’s independence, credibility, and sustainability as a non-state institution, underscoring the party’s commitment to the rule of law.
He outlined the core statutory functions of the Institute to include research and publication on public policy, democratisation, governance, and leadership; organisation of workshops, national and international conferences; collaboration with relevant APC organs on political strategy; and extensive capacity-building programmes covering leadership, ideology, intra-party democracy, public policy, institution building, elections, and APC values.
According to the APC helmsman, TPI will also serve as a platform for robust engagement between the party and the wider Nigerian society, while acting as the institutional memory of the APC through systematic documentation of the party’s activities, conventions, caucus decisions, and policy positions.
Describing the governing council as the highest decision-making organ of the Institute, Yilwatda stressed that its role is fundamental to realising the vision of building a world-class political foundation comparable to the best global institutions in its category.
He explained that his position as Chairman of the Governing Council was a deliberate decision by the APC to ensure that TPI enjoys sustained policy focus and strategic attention at the highest level of party leadership.
Yilwatda assured that the President, the National Working Committee (NWC), and leaders of the APC nationwide are fully committed to supporting the Institute.
He congratulated members of the governing council, noting that they were carefully selected from among many qualified Nigerians based on their pedigree, experience, and commitment to national development.
He expressed deep appreciation to the President for his foresight in establishing what he described as Nigeria’s premier political foundation, and also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and other stakeholders who laid the groundwork for the Institute.
The APC Chairman appealed to party elders, governors, and elected officials to actively support TPI by patronizing it for research, training, and consultancy services, stressing that the Institute must be fully integrated into the party’s governance and policy ecosystem.
Yilwatda charged members of the Governing Council to see their appointment as a historic responsibility and an opportunity to write their names in gold by shaping policies that improve governance, strengthen democratic institutions, enhance electoral competitiveness, and make the APC more attractive to Nigerians.
He emphasised that the council’s work must drive inclusive, balanced, and nationally representative policies, reflecting the diversity of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He further highlighted that the composition of the council reflects national balance, with representation from across the North and South, reinforcing the APC’s commitment to inclusiveness and unity.
The Governing Council comprises nine members, supported by six ex-officio management officials who serve as observers. It includes leading academics, policy experts, and party leaders, while the management team oversees programmes, legal services, administration, human resources, planning, and training.
TPI’s Director-General, Dr. Lanre Adebayo highlighted milestones achieved since the Institute’s unveiling, including organisational registration, compliance with key regulatory bodies, implementation of capacity-building and skill acquisition programmes across several states, and engagement with international partners such as the European Union.
He reaffirmed the management’s commitment, in collaboration with the governing council, to deliver on the vision of the APC in establishing a world-class institution that empowers youth, strengthens governance, and positions Nigeria competitively in the global political and policy arena.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by members of the APC NWC, party leaders, members of the Governing Council, representatives from across the six geopolitical zones, development partners, and the media.
