The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has expanded its flagship AIG Public Leaders Programme (PLP) with the admission of seventy-two outstanding public servants from seven African countries, in a move aimed at deepening public sector reform and fostering transformational leadership across the continent.
The new participants, drawn from Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Cameroon, Zambia, Egypt, and Tanzania, form the fifth and largest cohort of the prestigious programme delivered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.
Executive Vice-Chair of the Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, described the new cohort as a defining step in building a generation of leaders equipped to drive reform and deliver measurable impact in their institutions.
“This fifth cohort marks a defining milestone in our journey to build a critical mass of reform leaders across Africa,” she said. “We are seeing proof every day that investing in people in their capacity and leadership potential delivers the kind of transformation that policy alone cannot achieve.”
Since its launch in 2021, the programme has trained 237 public sector professionals, advancing the Foundation’s goal of developing 3,000 reform-minded leaders by 2030. Alumni have implemented projects that have reduced hospital wait times, enhanced financial crime prevention, digitalised public records, and strengthened justice systems across Africa.
According to the Foundation, 62 per cent of graduates have recorded career progression, including promotions, expanded responsibilities, or leadership roles underscoring the programme’s growing influence on institutional performance and governance outcomes.
Each participant undertook a capstone project addressing a real policy or management challenge in their organisation. One alumnus noted:
“I have taken proactive steps towards integrating alternative dispute resolution mechanisms within the justice system, laying the groundwork for reforms that could streamline legal processes and enhance access to justice.”
This year’s participants came from diverse institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), among others. Their expertise spans health, finance, education, justice, infrastructure, and regulation.
The 2025 cohort will begin with virtual learning sessions before proceeding to an intensive residential programme in Lagos, where they will engage with Oxford faculty and peers to refine reform strategies and leadership skills.
Founded by Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is a philanthropic organisation committed to transforming public service delivery and improving access to quality healthcare across Africa. Its work complements affiliated initiatives such as ABC Health, the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), and the Nigerian Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF).
The Foundation’s partner, the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, is globally renowned for its mission to improve governance and policymaking through teaching, research, and engagement with leaders across sectors.
