By Abdul Lauya
Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has called for a new development consensus for Nigeria anchored on innovation, inclusion, and strong institutions.
He made this call while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 International Conference of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Abuja, held on Thursday, 31st July 2025.
Prof. Sulaiman emphasized that the envisioned development path must be bold and collectively owned by all sectors of society.
According to him, achieving sustainable development in Nigeria requires an inclusive partnership between academia, policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, and citizens.
He noted that democracy will only thrive when it delivers tangible development to the people.
“Our development will only be sustainable when it is driven by nation-building and innovation,” he said.
He stressed that innovation can only flourish in an environment guided by visionary leadership and collective responsibility.
The conference, which drew scholars and stakeholders from across Nigeria and beyond, focused on repositioning social sciences for national transformation.
Participants discussed pressing national issues and the role of academia in shaping policy directions.
The NILDS DG’s remarks set the tone for deeper deliberations on bridging the gap between research, governance, and citizen welfare.
