The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, an African philanthropic organisation, has highlighted the transformative impact of its capacity-building initiatives, as its growing alumni network of over 500 senior public servants drives significant governance reforms from within the system.
Through continuous training and a powerful support network, these leaders are translating world-class skills into improved service delivery for Nigerian citizens.
A statement by vice president of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Alumni Association, Audu Olokpo, said that the foundation’s core mission is to build a better Africa by improving the effectiveness of government institutions.
“This is achieved through strategic partnerships, such as the one with the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, which delivers the AIG Scholarships, Fellowships, and the flagship Public Leaders Programme (PLP). Beyond training, the Foundation actively supports public sector digitization, performance management reforms, and recognition awards for civil servants.
“This investment has cultivated a vibrant and expanding pan-African alumni community. “This diverse community provides a rich network of intellectual resources, members collaborate to solve problems and open doors to opportunities that were once beyond their individual reach, driving change from within their respective organisations.
“To ensure sustained impact, the Foundation employs a deliberate strategy for ongoing alumni engagement. This includes quarterly upskilling programmes on critical topics like ethics in procurement, stakeholder management, and project execution, alongside a recently launched mentorship programme. These initiatives provide a platform for continuous learning and networking, equipping alumni to address evolving challenges in the public sector.
“The tangible benefits of this approach are evident in the field. A prime example is Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and a PLP alumna. Drawing on her training, she led the creation of a self-reporting tool on the agency’s website. This innovation acts as a secure digital vault for survivors of gender-based violence to preserve crucial evidence, thereby strengthening the path to justice and empowering thousands of citizens.
“These individual successes are part of a broader wave of institutional reform. The Foundation points to visible changes within the Federal Civil Service — including the adoption of new technology for document processing, a revamped performance management system, and the introduction of a service-wide ChatGPT portal — as evidence that targeted capacity building is yielding a tangible return on investment for national governance.
“The whole essence of this effort is to better serve the Nigerian people,” explained a Foundation representative. “By equipping the officials responsible for crafting and implementing government policies, we are directly enhancing the quality of programmes and services that improve citizen wellbeing.
“The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation continues to seek outstanding public servants to join this transformative journey. Applications for its AIG Scholarships and Public Leaders Programme are announced annually through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Foundation’s official social media channels.”Olokpo said.
