The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has announced the fifth and largest cohort of its flagship AIG Public Leaders Programme (PLP), a transformative initiative designed to equip Africa’s public servants with the skills and tools to drive reforms and deliver measurable impact across the continent.
This year’s cohort brings together 72 high-performing public sector professionals from Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Cameroon, Zambia, Egypt, and Tanzania—marking a significant step in the Foundation’s mission to strengthen leadership and governance in Africa’s public institutions.
Delivered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, the AIG PLP provides a world-class executive education experience that helps participants gain the global perspectives and practical knowledge required to lead change in their organisations.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Executive Vice-Chair of the Foundation said, “This fifth cohort marks a defining milestone in our journey to build a critical mass of reform leaders across Africa. We are seeing proof every day that investing in people, in their capacity and leadership potentially, delivers the kind of transformation that policy alone cannot achieve.”
Since its inception in 2021, the AIG PLP has trained 237 public sector professionals and continues to advance the Foundation’s goal of developing 3,000 reform-minded leaders by 2030. Many alumni have already implemented impactful change projects—reducing patient wait times in public hospitals, strengthening financial crime prevention strategies, digitalising document tracking systems at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and improving investigative procedures that protect suspects’ rights.
These success stories illustrate the programme’s tangible influence across Africa’s public institutions. The Foundation notes that 62 percent of surveyed alumni reported career growth, promotions, or expanded roles within their organisations—a reflection of how the programme’s leadership training translates into real-world results.
Each participant is required to undertake a capstone project addressing a pressing challenge within their agency, applying lessons and tools gained during the programme. One alumnus shared, “I have taken proactive steps towards exploring and potentially integrating alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms within the justice system, laying the groundwork for reforms that could streamline legal processes and enhance access to justice.”
Projects like this demonstrate how the AIG PLP is reshaping governance across Africa—from improving healthcare delivery to advancing digital governance, education, and access to justice.
The latest cohort includes professionals from a wide range of government bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Ministries of Education, Justice, and Foreign Affairs. Their diverse roles in healthcare, finance, infrastructure, and regulation reflect the programme’s cross-sectoral reach and commitment to inclusive leadership.
Participants will begin their learning journey with virtual classes, followed by an intensive residential session in Lagos, where they will engage with Oxford faculty and peers to refine their leadership capabilities and reform strategies.
Through the AIG Public Leaders Programme, the Foundation continues to build a growing community of reform-driven leaders whose influence is already shaping better governance, accountability, and service delivery across Africa.
