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The Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) has announced the inaugural recipients of the AIG Scholarships, the organisation’s fully funded scholarships programme which has been instituted to increase capacity for best practices in the public sector across the continent.
Five scholarships are to be made available by AIG every year to outstanding West Africans from all backgrounds, who are passionate about the public sector, to pursue the Master of Public Policy degree at the Blavatnik School of Government (BSG), University of Oxford. However, this year, the opening year of the scholarships, AIG has elected to fund an additional scholarship, bringing the total number of AIG Scholarships awarded in the year to six.
The 2017 AIG Scholarship recipients are Emokiniovo Akpughe (Nigeria), Efosa Trevor Edobor (Nigeria), Abdul-Fatawu Z. Hakeem (Ghana), Chukwunonso Iheoma (Nigeria), Oluwapelumi Simpson (Nigeria) and Emmanuel Taiwo (Nigeria).
Upon graduation, AIG Scholars are expected to return to their home countries and apply their learning experience as change agents in their country’s public sector.
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, AIG Founder and Chairman, remarked in a statement that “We are pleased to support our six AIG Scholars in their aspiration to acquire the skills and experience that will enable them elevate their capabilities and contribute meaningfully to the development of their nations.
“These outstanding young Africans will return home after their studies as high-performing public servants.”
In June 2016, AIG signed a partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, based on a shared vision of improving the world through good governance and public leadership. Under the partnership, AIG will fund five scholarships for graduate study at BSG over the next five years. Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) works with governments, academic institutions and other partners to improve governance and transform public sector performance.
AIG’s pioneering initiative connects proven private sector innovation, leadership and funding to an amenable public sector in a private-public partnership that seeks to attract, inspire and support future leaders of Africa’s public sector.
With AIG’s continuing support, these high-calibre individuals will be able to drive best practice standards of governance in Africa, ensuring sustainable economic growth and social justice.
“AIG’s vision is to be a catalyst for public sector transformation – we work with governments, academic institutions and other partners, in order to achieve this goal,” said Chienye Ogwo, Chief Executive Officer of AIG.
Ogwo further expressed the belief that “real economic growth in Africa can only be sustained on the backbone of a dynamic and vigorous public sector. Enhancing competencies, therefore, is an indispensable lever for the achievement of this transformation.”
Emmanuel Taiwo, a first class Geography graduate of the University of Lagos, and one of the 2017 AIG Scholars, said “As a young person intending to help transform my country, I believe that excellence in public service is the way to go.”
According to Taiwo, “Studying at the University of Oxford promises to be a life changing experience for me and positions me to serve my country in a vital policy advisory capacity.”
As the beneficiaries for this year prepare to commence their studies at Oxford, AIG also announced the opening of the application window for the 2018-2019 AIG Scholarships. The application window will close October 2, 2017 and interested persons are advised to apply promptly.
CALEB OJEWALE
