The Institute shall be organized and operated in an autonomous manner so that research, publication, dissemination, and application of findings are not overshadowed by non-research activities of the University. The Institute shall have an Advisory Board, a Director, an Institute Council and 9 research units and support units. These are:

• Public Policy and Governance Unit (PPGU);
• Business Research and Entrepreneurship Development Unit (BREDU);
• Economic Unit (EU);
• Urban Management and Development Unit (UMDU);
• Industrial Development and Trade Unit (IDTU);
• Rural Development Unit (RDU);
• Gender and Population Development Unit (GPDU);
• Environment and Natural Resources Management Unit (ENRMU); and
• Culture, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and Development Unit (CIKSDU).