Nigerian Institute's Leadership Program Marred by Allegations of Bullying

An account of alleged intimidation and humiliation at Nigeria's premier policy institute has surfaced, casting a shadow over its leadership development programs. The memoir, by award-winning PR practitioner Yushau A. Shuaib, details his experience during Senior Executive Course 47 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

Shuaib, who was nominated by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), initially accepted his nomination reluctantly due to the exorbitant course fee of ₦18.5 million. He was able to raise the funds with support from various institutions and high-level offices. The early parts of the memoir offer an engaging narrative of learning and interaction, but the story soon shifts to alleged intimidation and bullying.

A central figure in the disturbing allegations is Rear Admiral AA Mustapha, a directing staff member at NIPSS. Shuaib recounts being summoned, along with his Study Group Chairman, and allegedly ordered by Mustapha to remain standing while being questioned about a PRNigeria report on NIPSS's digital transformation. Shuaib maintains he neither wrote nor authorized the report and had formally disengaged from managing his media organization before the course.

This episode, which Shuaib describes as his first experience of adult bullying, raises critical questions about the treatment of civilian professionals within an executive leadership program. The memoir prompts reflection on whether a senior military officer should treat an accomplished civilian professional as a recruit undergoing military discipline, especially within an institute designed for exchanging ideas and developing strategic leadership capacity among diverse professionals.

The situation reportedly escalated when Shuaib received a formal query. His initial explanation, stating he had no editorial responsibility for the report, was deemed insufficiently apologetic, leading to further complications. The memoir serves as a cautionary tale about leadership development when it becomes disconnected from foundational principles of respect and dignity.