The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Podcast

Policy failure is often attributed to weak implementation capacity, but the reality is more nuanced. The same reform can succeed in one institution and stall in another, raising an important question: why is execution capacity so uneven? In our latest podcast episode, “The Reformer’s Skills Audit,” our Executive Vice Chair, Mrs Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, sits down with Mrs Funke Adepoju, Director-General of ASCON, to explore this challenge and what it means for the future of public sector reform. Drawing on her experiences repositioning ASCON as Nigeria’s National School of Government, Mrs Adepoju shares practical insights on what it takes to build a capable and responsive public service. The conversation highlights the need to move beyond traditional, classroom-based approaches to capacity building towards a more execution-focused model: one that starts with identifying reform priorities, diagnosing specific capability gaps, building skills in context, and ensuring that learning translates into real-world results. It also highlights the importance of shifting from activity-based reporting to measurable performance and results-driven management.

In our latest podcast episode, “Community Health Workers and the Future of Care,” we discuss the role of the often unseen frontline workers of Nigeria’s primary healthcare system: community health workers. Moderated by our Executive Vice Chair, Mrs Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, this episode examines why community health workers are critical to delivering quality, equitable healthcare, especially in rural and underserved communities. Listen to our guest, Dr Nonye Egekwu, Senior Quality Advisor and Independent Evaluator, Nigeria Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (CEmONC) Programme, as she explores the realities of frontline care, systemic gaps, and what Nigeria can learn from successful African models to better support these essential workers.

Our latest podcast episode, “Who Really Changes Government?”, dives into what it truly takes to achieve meaningful reform in the public sector.Members of our alumni community, including Akintayo Ayodele-Bamisaye, Stakeholder Manager, Business Enterprise at Galaxy Backbone; Idowu Bakare, Deputy Director of Administration at the National Assembly; Rashidat Umar, Deputy Director and Head, Education and Engagement Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development; and Chioma Nzewi, Assistant Director at the South-East Development Commission, share candid insights on how public servants are transforming government through leadership, persistence, and collaboration.Tune in to discover why real transformation in government is not one-sided but a collective effort driven by committed public sector leaders.

In our latest podcast episode, “CSR and PPPs: A Powerful Partnership for Nigeria,” we explored how public-private partnerships can make Corporate Social Responsibility more effective in Nigeria. Our guests, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Nigeria Foundation and Kelvin Uwaibi, Former Founding Managing Director of the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), shared inspiring insights on how private and public sector partnerships can move CSRs from from reactive charity to strategic nation-building tools.

In our latest podcast episode, "The Power of Data: How Metrics Drive Reform (Preview of the Performance Index Methodology)" we discussed the role that data plays in public sector governance.Listen to the inspiring insights shared by our guests, Dr. Adedeji Adeniran, Director of Research, Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), Abuja; Mr Waziri Adio, founder, Agora Policy and Professor Isaac Obasi, Research Consultant, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation.

Sexual harassment remains a critical issue for many young people in Nigeria, especially in public service. In this episode of our podcast, Lessons from the Frontline, we discuss these challenges and delve into the triumphs of public sector reforms in addressing these challenges across institutions and the society.Join our guests, AIG PLP alumnus, Abraham Ayodeji Oludolapo, Assistant Director at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Adeola Potts-Johnson, Programme Lead, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) for an insightful session.

What’s holding back the public sector from going fully digital? In our latest podcast episode, we explore the hurdles of building resilient digital infrastructure for modern governance and uncover actionable strategies to overcome these barriers. Our guests, Dr. Nasir Shinkafi, Group Head of Technical Services at Galaxy Backbone, and Dr. Magdalene Ajani, a visionary Permanent Secretary with extensive experience leading digital transformations, delve into the challenges and opportunities of modernising government services. Join us for an engaging discussion on addressing the infrastructural needs for public sector digitalisation, bridging the infrastructural gap, and ensuring seamless interoperability of digital solutions across Ministries.

Exploring innovative ways to healthcare financing in Nigeria is critical to improving the quality of primary healthcare. Through necessary funding primary healthcare centres can meet operational demands that foster improved services for patients. In this episode, we examined the limitations of the existing healthcare funding systems in Nigeria and explored innovative funding models that can improve healthcare access and affordability in Nigeria. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Mrs Fola Laoye, CEO and Co-founder of Iwosan Health Limited on “Innovative Approaches to Healthcare Funding in Nigeria.” This episode hosted by our Director of Health Philanthropy; Dr Nonye Egekwu is a must listen for anyone interested in accessible and affordable healthcare services for Africans.

In this episode of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation podcast, we dive deep into the world of digital transformation and its potential to revolutionize public service delivery across Africa. Join our hosts, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, as they sit down with Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's Honourable Minister of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy. Together, they explore Nigeria's journey from digitization to full-scale digital transformation, the impact of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and the steps needed to make this vision a reality. Tune in to learn how these advancements can empower citizens and transform the efficiency of public institutions across the continent.

This episode dives into Africa's future with Professor Stefan Dercon, a renowned professor of Economic Policy. We tackle the alarming prediction that Africa could hold most of the world's poor by 2030, exploring the concept of "Elite Bargains" as a potential solution. Tune in for this insightful episode of "Exploring Elite Bargains" where our Chairman and Executive Vice-Chair discuss with Professor Dercon how these bargains can shape Africa's path to prosperity.