PROFILE: Ken Nnamani – New Chairman, NIPSS Kuru
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Senate President Ken Nnamani as Chairman of the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru. This strategic appointment is aimed at strengthening public institutions and enhancing service delivery within Nigeria.
Established in 1979 and located in Kuru, Plateau State, NIPSS stands as Nigeria’s premier think tank and leadership training institution. Its core mandate encompasses high-level policy research, strategic studies, and executive training.
Economic Confidential reports that the Institute is renowned for its Senior Executive Course (SEC), a rigorous 10-month program designed for top public and private sector leaders. Additionally, NIPSS provides vital policy advisory services and organizes seminars and conferences to influence national development strategies.
The new chairman, Ken Ugwu Nnamani, is a prominent Nigerian politician and statesman, widely recognized for his tenure as the 11th President of the Nigerian Senate from 2005 to 2007, as reported by Economic Confidential. Born on November 2, 1948, in Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria, Nnamani played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape during the Fourth Republic.
His educational journey began in Enugu, where he attended Central School, Awkunanaw, and subsequently Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw. Following the Nigerian Civil War, he pursued higher education in the United States, earning both a Bachelor of Business Administration (1977) and a Master of Business Administration (1978) from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
Before his foray into politics, Nnamani built a successful career in the private sector. He held positions as a marketing executive and consultant for multinational firms, including Du Pont De Nemours International SA in Geneva and Nova Chemicals International SA in Canada. He also founded Maredec Nigeria Limited, a consulting firm.
Nnamani’s political career commenced in 2003 with his election as Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In April 2005, following the resignation of Adolphus Wabara, he was unanimously elected President of the Senate.
As Senate President, Nnamani is widely lauded for his decisive leadership during the rejection of the controversial constitutional amendment seeking to extend presidential term limits, popularly known as the “Third Term Agenda.” His firm stance against this amendment was instrumental in preserving Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
After his tenure in the Senate, Nnamani continued to contribute significantly to national development. He established the Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development, dedicated to promoting ethical leadership and good governance in Nigeria. In recognition of his distinguished service, Nnamani has received several honors, including the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) in 2006. He was also awarded honorary Doctor of Laws degrees by Ohio University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Ken Nnamani’s legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to democratic principles, legislative reforms, and ethical leadership. His actions during a critical period in Nigeria’s political history have left an indelible mark on the nation’s democratic evolution.
Economic Confidential notes that the emphasis on Nnamani’s credentials aligns with the government’s renewed vision for NIPSS, as recently articulated by Vice President Kashim Shettima during an interaction with the Institute’s management.
Vice President Shettima underscored NIPSS’s crucial role as Nigeria’s premier policy think tank, drawing parallels with esteemed global institutions such as the Global Policy Institute, Chatham House, the Adam Smith Institute, the Royal United Institute for Defence Studies, and the Hopkins Institute.
He therefore issued a stern warning against NIPSS becoming a mere “dumping ground” for frustrated public officers, a trend observed in the past, and stressed the imperative of upholding global standards. Shettima further emphasized that future nominations would minimize political patronage, focusing instead on credible professionals within the right age and career bracket to ensure meaningful contributions to governance.
