Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation seeks to drive governance reforms

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is intensifying efforts to drive governance reforms and strengthen public sector leadership across Africa with the graduation of 69 senior public servants under the fifth cohort of its AIG Public Leaders Programme (AIG PLP).

This initiative, according to the foundation, is designed to build governance capacity and champion institutional transformation across the continent’s public sector.

The graduation ceremony, held in Abuja, brought together senior government officials, private sector leaders, development partners, faculty members, alumni and the participants who completed the intensive six-month executive training programme delivered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford.

It noted that participants in the latest cohort were drawn from seven African countries, Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia.

With the latest graduates, the AIG Public Leaders Programme has produced more than 300 alumni across Africa since its launch in 2021.

Speaking at the ceremony, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, urged the graduates to focus on practical reforms that deliver measurable improvements in governance and public service delivery.

He noted that Africa’s future would depend largely on the commitment of public officials to genuine service and long-term impact rather than short-term gains.

“The greatest asset of Africa is Africans. If we understand the true meaning of service, Africa will have a different story to tell,” Tunji-Ojo said.

He added that the continent would struggle to overcome persistent challenges such as insecurity, underdevelopment and economic constraints without addressing inefficiencies within its public institutions.

The foundation said that the programme is designed to equip high-potential public officials with strategic leadership capabilities, policy expertise and practical governance tools needed to navigate complex institutional environments, strengthen regulatory systems and promote accountability.

“It combines virtual learning sessions with an intensive residential module. The most recent residential phase was held in Lagos, where participants engaged in advanced policy discussions, leadership training and peer-learning exercises facilitated by faculty members from Oxford and other global governance experts.

“A key component of the programme is the development of a reform project by each participant.

“These projects are designed to tackle real institutional challenges within the ministries, departments and agencies where the participants work, with the goal of improving operational efficiency, eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks and strengthening citizen-focused service delivery”, it noted.

According to the foundation, many alumni of the programme have already implemented reforms within their respective institutions, ranging from improved regulatory processes and compliance frameworks to digital governance initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, chairman of the foundation, said the programme represents a long-term investment in building capable and reform-oriented leadership within Africa’s public sector.

“Africa’s future depends on the quality of leadership within its public institutions. Transforming public institutions requires leaders who understand complex systems, embrace necessary trade-offs and drive reform from within”, he said.

He added that the graduating cohort represents a deliberate effort to strengthen institutions across the continent by building a network of public leaders committed to accountability, collaboration and sustained institutional change.

The AIG PLP alumni network has expanded steadily since the programme’s launch and now includes senior officials from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Zambia and Tanzania.

The foundation said the growing network is helping to foster cross-country collaboration and peer learning among reform-minded public servants.