Shettima: Presidential innovation initiative will address development challenges

Vice President Kashim Shettima says the presidential initiative for innovation, policy evaluation and research (PIIPER) will address development challenges and promote transparency in governance. 

Shettima spoke on Friday at the presidential villa during a meeting with a delegation from the Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a pre-launch meeting of the PIIPER.

The vice-president said the initiative would include “encompassing data gathering, rigorous research, innovation integration, stakeholder engagement and thorough documentation of government functions and decisions”.

“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,” NAN quoted Shettima as saying.

“This initiative is geared towards addressing Nigeria’s development challenges, promoting transparency, and collaboration to ensure effective governance and sustainable development.”

Shettima sought collaboration on PIIPER with the LSE and its delegation from Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, describing the initiative as a transformative journey.

“We believe that trade is the lifeblood of nations. It intertwines destinies and moulds futures. This book, through its comprehensive analysis, sets out to serve as a guidance for all policymakers to navigate this complex web with knowledge and foresight,” he added.

He added that the initiative lays the mechanisms through which trade can be harnessed as a force for good and a catalyst for development that uplifts the lives of all citizens.

Earlier, Dapo Oyewole, the leader of the delegation and senior special assistant to the president on international cooperation, said part of his job is to take the best of Nigeria to the world and attract the best of the world to the country.

Oyewole, who is also the coordinator of the LSE alumni association in Abuja, said “our work will help to bridge the gap between research and policy”.

“It will 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 Tinubu,” he said.