the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has joined forces with the BAT Ideological Group (BAT-IG) to establish the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Institute of Politics and Policies. This development represents a pioneering effort to institutionalize political ideology, governance expertise, and leadership development within a formal academic setting — a first of its kind in the nation.
A Strategic Partnership for Political Education and Leadership Formation
The historic collaboration was formalised during a high-level strategic engagement between BAT-IG leadership and the management of LASUSTECH, held at the Ikorodu campus. The BAT-IG delegation, led by convener Bamidele Atoyebi, presented a comprehensive proposal for the establishment of an institute focused on deepening ideological clarity, political thinking, and leadership skills among Nigerians. The group’s leadership also included prominent figures such as Alhaji Tejumade Onirin, Prof. Fayomi Oluyemi, and Dr. Bisi Akin Alabi.
LASUSTECH’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, alongside other principal officers, welcomed the initiative, underscoring the university’s commitment to extending its academic influence beyond traditional technical and science disciplines into the vital sphere of political education and public policy.
Vision: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Institute of Politics and Policies
The newly conceived institute, to be named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to become a national hub for political thought, governance research, and leadership cultivation. With plans to launch academic and professional activities within the next two to three months, the institute will begin at a temporary facility provided by LASUSTECH, while preparations continue for a purpose-built permanent campus reflective of its national stature and long-term objectives.
The institute’s programmes will span various academic levels — from diplomas to master’s and doctoral degrees — and will be augmented by professional certifications, fellowships, and structured ideological grooming. It is designed to serve both emerging and seasoned political actors, equipping them with the tools to navigate Nigeria’s complex governance landscape with competence and ethical depth.
Addressing Leadership Gaps in Nigeria
The idea behind the institute was conceived as a response to Nigeria’s enduring leadership deficit, with proponents arguing that the country needs structured platforms to educate future leaders on political ideologies, governance best practices, and effective public policy formulation. By anchoring these programmes within a university setting, stakeholders hope to elevate political education to the same intellectual rigor typically found in other professional disciplines.
A Historic First in Nigeria
What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is that it marks the first university-based political institution in Nigeria to be named after a sitting president. Officials involved in the project describe President Bola Tinubu not simply as a political figurehead but as a symbolic embodiment of leadership philosophy and governance ethos worthy of academic inquiry and long-term study.
