Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Deepens Reform Drive at Global Civil Service Conference

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to public sector transformation, returning as Diamond Partner at the 2026 International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) held in Abuja.

The high-level gathering, convened by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, attracted more than 5,000 participants from 16 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia and North America, with discussions centred on reforms, resilience and results in public administration.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, declared the conference open and directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to accelerate digital transformation in governance processes, signalling what was described as a decisive shift away from manual and opaque systems of administration.

As Diamond Partner, the highest level of participation, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation played a central role in shaping the conference’s intellectual direction through keynote engagements, panel discussions, an alumni roundtable and a reform exhibition showcasing ongoing public sector initiatives.

Chairman of the Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, in his keynote address, urged stronger collaboration between government and the private sector, stressing that reform must be measured by tangible outcomes rather than policy rhetoric.

He said real governance success should be judged by everyday service delivery. “The true measure of whether government is working or not is whether a passport is issued on time, roads are completed on schedule, hospitals function, pensions are paid without distress, and businesses can be registered without bureaucracy,” he said.

He also called for deeper trust and cooperation between both sectors, adding that “the most successful nations are those where government and business work together, not against each other, as no government can do it alone.”

A major highlight of the Foundation’s participation was an alumni-led roundtable titled *Navigating Public Sector Reform*, which brought together graduates of the AIG Public Leaders Programme, heads of government agencies and private sector actors to explore how reform ideas can be translated into institutional action.

Executive Vice Chair of the Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, said the partnership reflects a long-term commitment to strengthening governance systems. “The Civil Service remains central to national development. Our continued partnership reflects our commitment to supporting public sector leaders with the tools, networks and capabilities required to drive results,” she said.

The Foundation’s involvement builds on its broader reform support to Nigeria’s civil service, including capacity-building programmes, scholarships, fellowships and collaboration on the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25).

Organisers and stakeholders at the conference described the engagement as part of a growing push to modernise public administration and strengthen service delivery across Africa’s largest civil service system.