The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, underscored the crucial role of leadership training in fostering service excellence within the public sector. Speaking at the culmination of the 2024 Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Public Leaders Programme, she lauded the initiative for empowering public servants with the requisite skills, knowledge, and mindset to spearhead innovation and elevate public administration. Walson-Jack emphasized the program’s significance in nurturing a cadre of competent, ethical, and future-oriented leaders capable of driving transformative change within their respective organizations and communities. She acknowledged the foundation’s commitment to enhancing governance in Nigeria and across Africa, highlighting the contributions of program alumni to ongoing reforms within the Federal Civil Service. Walson-Jack urged participants to become ambassadors of good governance, leveraging their acquired knowledge to improve public service delivery and meet the heightened expectations accompanying their enhanced expertise.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the vital role of a robust and efficient civil service in national development. He asserted that progress remains elusive for any nation burdened with a weak or inefficient civil service, the very infrastructure responsible for delivering public goods. Osinbajo stressed the importance of equipping public servants with the capacity for innovation, effective planning, and policy implementation, emphasizing innovation as a cornerstone of modern governance. He highlighted the civil service’s pivotal role in national success, not due to inherent qualities of civil servants, but because of the fundamental design of modern society where government serves as the legitimate vehicle for improving the lives of its citizens. This underscores the weight of responsibility placed on public servants and the necessity of continuous development and improvement within the sector.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, the driving force behind this transformative initiative, reiterated its commitment to empowering public sector leaders. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Executive Vice Chairman of the foundation, described the Public Leaders Programme as a game-changer in capacity building within the civil service, both domestically and across the African continent. The program, in collaboration with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, has successfully produced four cohorts of exceptional public sector leaders equipped to navigate the intricacies of contemporary governance. This collaboration highlights the program’s emphasis on global best practices and its dedication to fostering a network of leaders capable of addressing complex challenges.
The chairman of the foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, stressed the continued importance of investing in leadership training for public servants, recognizing it as a key driver of effective governance. He commended the participants’ dedication and encouraged them to translate their acquired knowledge into tangible improvements in public service delivery. The foundation’s focus on practical application ensures that the training translates into real-world impact, contributing to tangible improvements in the lives of citizens. This emphasis on action and results underscores the foundation’s commitment to fostering a culture of performance and accountability within the public sector.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Public Leaders Programme stands as a testament to the transformative potential of targeted leadership development within the public sector. By equipping public servants with the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to excel in a rapidly evolving landscape, the program contributes to the development of a more effective and responsive government. The program’s focus on innovation, ethical leadership, and a commitment to excellence empowers participants to become catalysts for change within their organizations and communities. This emphasis on individual growth and its ripple effect across the wider public sector underscores the program’s strategic approach to capacity building.
The program’s success is a reflection of the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, the Blavatnik School of Government, and the participating public servants. The shared vision of a more effective and responsive public sector drives the program’s design and implementation, ensuring its relevance and impact. Looking ahead, the Aig-Imoukhuede Public Leaders Programme is poised to continue playing a crucial role in shaping the future of governance in Nigeria and beyond. By investing in the next generation of public sector leaders, the program lays the groundwork for a more prosperous and equitable future for all.
