The Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG), established in 1963 as the Administrative College (ADCOL), is Papua New Guinea’s oldest Public Service training institution. Public service training began in 1954 with the Public Service Institute, which was later absorbed into ADCOL following the 1961 Willoughby Report’s recommendation. ADCOL officially opened at Waigani in 1967, offering programs like the Executive Development Scheme and Magisterial Training. The college trained notable leaders including the late Sir Michael Somare and adapted over time to support PNG’s evolving public service needs. Its training was vocational and practical, offering sub-tertiary and tertiary level courses tailored to public sector requirements.

In 1993, ADCOL became the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA) and later transitioned to the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG), before being renamed to SILAG in 2023. SILAG now operates regional training centres and delivers Competency-Based Training & Assessment (CBTA) aligned with the National Qualification Framework. Current offerings include various National Certificates and Diplomas in Government. A 2021 policy mandates SILAG certification for recruitment, promotion, and appointment in the public sector. With strong international partnerships, SILAG is set to become a special public service university by 2027, continuing its mission to build an effective and professional public service.