The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has unveiled the fifth and largest cohort of its flagship AIG Public Leaders Programme (PLP), bringing together seventy-two high-performing public servants from across Africa to drive transformative reforms in governance and service delivery.
Executive Vice-Chair of the Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Blueprint reports thatthis latest cohort, drawn from Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Cameroon, Zambia, Egypt, and Tanzania, marks a significant milestone in the foundation’s mission to build a strong network of reform-minded leaders dedicated to improving systems and institutions across the continent.
Delivered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, the AIG PLP is a world-class executive education initiative designed to equip public sector leaders with the tools, skills, and global perspectives required to deliver measurable impact in their respective institutions.
“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,” Ofovwe said.
Since its inception in 2021, the AIG PLP has trained 237 public sector professionals, reinforcing the foundation’s goal of developing 3,000 reform-driven leaders by 2030.
Many alumni have already implemented impactful reforms — from reducing patient wait times in public hospitals to strengthening financial crime prevention strategies and digitalising document tracking processes at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Others have introduced improved investigative procedures to protect suspects’ rights, further underscoring the programme’s real-world influence.
Beyond institutional reforms, the initiative has also spurred career growth among participants. According to a recent survey, 62 per cent of alumni reported promotions, expanded roles, or other career advancements following their participation.
Each participant is also required to complete a capstone project addressing a real challenge within their organisation — a key element that turns classroom lessons into tangible impact.
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 projects demonstrate how the programme’s reach extends beyond leadership training to tangible reforms that improve lives — from justice and healthcare to education and digital governance — with ripple effects felt in communities across Africa.
This year’s cohort represents a broad spectrum of government institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Ministries of Education, Justice, and Foreign Affairs, among others.
Their roles span key sectors such as finance, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and regulation, reflecting the programme’s cross-sectoral inclusivity and its commitment to nurturing diverse leadership talent.
Participants will begin their journey 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 their reform strategies.
Through initiatives like the AIG Public Leaders Programme, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to transforming Africa’s public sector by investing in the continent’s most valuable resource — its people.
