Aig-Imoukhuede Institute partners Oxford University for public leaders programme

• 50 Nigerian public servants to benefit from £11,500 scholarship each
• Competitive selection to be done by Oxford’s Blavatnik School
• Programme a 7-week world-class leadership training

Aig-Imoukhuede Institute (AII), with a mission to work towards continuous improvement of the Nigerian public service, has announced the commencement of its AIG Public Leaders Programme in partnership with the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government.

Working along with the Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG), the AIG Public Leaders Programme would afford 50 high potential men and women working in the Nigerian public service a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a seven-week world-class leadership programme, run by an accomplished faculty of expert facilitators and teachers from the University of Oxford.

Through blended classes hosted online and in Abuja FCT, programme participants will acquire a range of vital leadership skills, conceptual frameworks and practical tools that will empower them to be more effective, as they lead their departments and organisations through the challenges of an increasingly complex and dynamic world.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, founder and chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Institute, while introducing the programme, said: “As part of our objectives to drive public sector transformation, we have been working with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to build capacity in the Nigerian public sector.”

According to Aig-Imoukhuede, the Aig-Imoukhuede Institute has leveraged its long-standing relationship with one of the world’s leading schools of government, the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, and is bringing their expertise to Nigeria, so they can impart vital skills and knowledge to the next generation of public sector leaders.

“We are pleased to offer 50 academic scholarships worth £11,500 GBP per participant for all Nigerian public servants who are successful in the application process,” he said.

Ngaire Woods, a professor and dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, said, “We are delighted to extend our long-standing partnership with the Africa Initiative for Governance by bringing our Public Leaders Programme to Nigeria. We design our executive programmes for public leaders, so that participants learn from world-renowned scholars, outstanding practitioners, and one another.”

Woods said the Blavatnik School of Government also takes into account the current context for public sector leadership – in 2021, which means supporting heads of public organisations in renewing their leadership for the post-pandemic world.

Folasade Yemi-Esan, the head of the civil service of the federation lauded the leadership training programme. “We are very excited that AIG in partnership with the University of Oxford, is offering this unique opportunity for Nigerian public servants to participate in this world-class programme. We look forward to the positive impact that it will have on the overall performance of the public sector,” the head of civil service said.

Entry to the AIG Public Leaders Programme is quite competitive, with the final admission decision resting with the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. Applications close on 18 March 2021.

The Blavatnik School which exists to inspire and support better government and public policy around the world, teaches current and future public leaders through innovative programmes, conducts independent research into pressing issues facing policy makers around the world, and convenes leaders and experts to foster better public policy.

With a strong global outlook, the Blavatnik School combines insights from a range of academic disciplines and derives lessons from the public, private and third sectors.

The Aig-Imoukhuede Institute works with strategic partners, using select educational interventions to sustainably embed a culture of good governance within the public service in Nigeria, and to build the capacity of civil servants to be effective. It is the Institute’s aim to develop a critical mass of public sector leaders who are able to drive transformation within the sector.

Through thought leadership, the Institute also strives to challenge preconceptions, generate debate and inspire the development of innovative solutions that can transform the Nigerian public sector for the benefit of society.