By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, alongside the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, has urged senior public servants across Africa to embrace actionable reforms and strengthen governance in their institutions. The call came during the graduation of Cohort 5 of the AIG Public Leaders Programme (AIG PLP), held in Abuja on Thursday, where 69 senior officials from seven African countries were celebrated.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasised that Africa’s greatest asset is its people and that public service leadership must focus on long-term impact rather than short-term gains. “If we understand the true meaning of service, Africa will have a different story to tell. Leadership in public service must ensure decisions benefit future generations,” he said. He added that addressing inefficiencies within public institutions is key to tackling challenges such as underdevelopment, insecurity, and economic difficulties. 
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, highlighted the strategic importance of cultivating reform-minded leaders. “Africa’s future depends on the quality of leadership within its public institutions. Transforming these institutions demands leaders who deeply understand systems, embrace necessary trade-offs, and drive reform from within,” he said.
The six-month AIG PLP, run in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, equips public servants with strategic leadership skills, policy expertise, and practical tools to deliver measurable improvements in governance and service delivery. The programme combines virtual learning with a residential module, recently held in Lagos, and culminates in participant-led reform projects addressing real institutional challenges.
With Cohort 5, the AIG PLP alumni network now includes over 300 senior officials from seven African countries, many of whom have launched initiatives to strengthen accountability, improve regulatory frameworks, and enhance citizen-focused services.
Applications for Cohort 6 of the programme are open to eligible public servants from English-speaking African countries, with the deadline set for April 12, 2026. Interested candidates can apply via aigimoukhuedefoundation.org�.
