The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has recently initiated the fourth cohort of its AIG Public Leaders Programme (AIG PLP), a collaborative effort with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. Launched in 2021, this impactful programme aims to develop the leadership capabilities of public sector officials across Africa, contributing to the Foundation’s overarching goal of training 3,000 leaders by 2030. By equipping participants with essential skills, the AIG PLP seeks to drive significant reforms and enhance service delivery within various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The programme is rooted in the belief that empowered leaders can foster a culture of integrity, innovation, and excellence—critical components for effective public service in diverse and challenging environments.
The AIG PLP serves as an executive training initiative tailored to the unique challenges faced by African public sector leaders. By focusing on the cultivation of measurable outcomes, the programme prepares participants to implement sustainable reforms that resonate throughout their communities. The current cohort features leaders from Ghana and Kenya, who are partaking in a combination of virtual classes and an intensive one-week residential training in Abuja. This blended learning approach facilitates the exchange of ideas and experiences, allowing participants to engage directly with faculty from the Blavatnik School of Government, gaining valuable strategic insights and practical tools necessary to effect change within their MDAs.
Participants of the AIG PLP have previously demonstrated remarkable capacity for innovation and reform through their initiatives. For instance, Dr. Ibiwunmi Olokun, a Medical Officer of Health and Primary Health Care Coordinator at the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, was a member of the programme’s third cohort. Inspired by the skills she developed in the AIG PLP, Dr. Olokun successfully led a project to significantly reduce patient waiting times at her health center from 70 minutes to just 30 minutes. Her model of reform has proven so effective that it is now being adapted and implemented in other health facilities within her district, highlighting the potential for impactful change borne from the graduates of the programme.
Moreover, Mohammed Ahmed, who is the Director and Chief of Staff to the CEO of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, is a notable alumnus of Cohort 1. Ahmed initiated a transformative project aimed at fostering strategic partnerships between the government and the private sector to bolster financial intelligence and enhance the fight against financial crimes. His efforts exemplify how the training received through the AIG PLP can lead to significant improvements in governance and accountability. By championing public-private collaborations, Ahmed has played a pivotal role in reshaping Nigeria’s approach to preventing financial crimes, empowering the nation to tackle these complex challenges more effectively.
The AIG PLP not only supports the development of individual leaders but also catalyzes systemic change across various sectors by fostering a community of practice among its alumni. The programme encourages participants to share their successes, best practices, and strategies, which helps to create a supportive network of leaders committed to driving meaningful reform. This interconnectedness among alumni enhances learning and collaboration as they work towards similar goals within their respective MDAs, spurring a collective movement towards improved governance and public service in their communities.
As the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation continues its mission to cultivate a new generation of skilled public sector leaders, the impact of the AIG PLP will only grow. By training leaders equipped to confront contemporary challenges with innovative solutions, the Foundation aims to leave a lasting legacy of effective governance throughout Africa. Through initiatives such as the AIG PLP, the Foundation not only enhances the capabilities of individual leaders but also fosters a broader cultural shift towards excellence and accountability in the public sector, paving the way for sustainable development and improved quality of life across the continent.
