Caesar Payi, Director of Research (Intelligence) at the Directorate of Research, Planning and Documentation, Government House, Plateau State, joined a select group of Nigeria’s top government officials, security chiefs, senior civil servants, and industry leaders for a high-level leadership course on Strategic Anticipation and Crisis Management held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, from June 24 to 26, 2025.
The intensive programme, themed “Strategic Anticipation and Crisis Management: Tools and Techniques for Planning in Uncertain Times,” brought together a cross-sectoral delegation to build national capacity in foresight, crisis response, and resilient planning amidst Nigeria’s dynamic security and governance landscape.
Participants engaged with world-class faculty and subject matter experts (SMEs) on a range of strategic planning tools, including scenario-based analysis, systems thinking, and crisis anticipation frameworks. The sessions were described as “thought-provoking” and “transformational” by attendees, as they explored how leaders can better prepare for and manage the unexpected.
Speaking after the course, Mr. Payi described the training as “a timely intervention in strengthening Nigeria’s ability to respond to multi-dimensional crises” and emphasised the need for integrating strategic foresight into both state and national development planning.
The Directorate expressed appreciation to the expert facilitators, including:
Professor Anthony Kila, of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced & Professional Studies (CIAPS),
Chris Nwogodo, Director-General of the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE),
Dr. Kayode Bolaji, Executive Director of the Peace Building Development Consult (PBDC),
Dr. Garba I. Malumfashi, Senior Fellow at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Special thanks were also extended to Professor Ayo Omotayo, Director-General of NIPSS, who served as the Chief Host, and Dr. Kabir Adamu of Beacon Security Intelligence Ltd, whose compelling presentation on national resilience was widely lauded.
Reflecting on the outcome of the course, Mr. Payi said, “The message was clear: Nigeria can—and will—be great again. But that future will be shaped by how well we anticipate risks and manage crises today.”
The Directorate of Research, Planning and Documentation reaffirms its commitment to integrating strategic intelligence and data-informed foresight into the governance processes of Plateau State.
