The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has unveiled the fifth and largest cohort of its flagship AIG Public Leaders Programme (PLP), admitting seventy-two high-performing public servants from across Africa to drive public sector reform and deliver measurable impact in their respective institutions.
The participants, drawn from Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Cameroon, Zambia, Egypt, and Tanzania, were selected through a rigorous process and will join a growing network of reform-minded leaders being nurtured by the Foundation.
Delivered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, the AIG PLP is a world-class executive education initiative designed to equip Africa’s public servants with the skills, tools, and global perspectives needed to lead reforms effectively.
In a statement on Tuesday, Executive Vice-Chair of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, described the new cohort as a milestone in the Foundation’s mission to strengthen governance across the continent.
“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,” she said.
Since the programme’s inception in 2021, the Foundation has trained 237 public sector professionals, advancing its goal of developing 3,000 reform-minded leaders by 2030.
Many alumni have gone on to implement impactful change projects—ranging from reducing patient wait times in public hospitals to enhancing financial crime prevention strategies and digitalising document tracking systems within the Central Bank of Nigeria. Others have championed reforms that uphold suspects’ rights and strengthen institutional accountability.
The programme’s impact extends beyond institutional reforms. It has also accelerated career progression among its alumni, with 62 per cent of surveyed graduates reporting promotions, expanded roles, or greater leadership responsibilities within their organisations. Each participant is required to complete a capstone project that addresses a real challenge in their institution, applying the lessons and leadership tools gained during the programme.
For some, these projects have led to far-reaching changes. One alumnus noted, “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.”
Such testimonies highlight the real-world value of the AIG PLP in shaping reform-driven leadership across Africa. From improving healthcare and education systems to advancing digital governance, the programme’s ripple effects are being felt in communities throughout the continent.
This year’s cohort comprises professionals from diverse institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and various Ministries of Education, Justice, and Foreign Affairs. Their fields span healthcare, finance, infrastructure, education, and regulation, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to inclusive leadership development.
Participants will begin with virtual classes before proceeding to an intensive residential programme in Lagos, where they will engage with Oxford faculty and peers to deepen their leadership capabilities and refine reform strategies.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, founded by Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, is a philanthropic organisation focused on transforming public service delivery and improving access to quality primary healthcare across Africa. It supports reform initiatives through financing, consulting, and capacity-building, working closely with affiliates such as ABC Health, the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), and the Nigerian Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF).
The Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, a partner in the programme, is one of the university’s newest and most dynamic departments, dedicated to improving the quality of government and policymaking worldwide through teaching, research, and engagement with leaders across sectors.