50 federal workers picked for Oxford leadership program

Fifty federal civil servants have been shortlisted for the AIG Public Leaders Programme (PLP), offered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, England.

The 50 shortlisted, across the ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs), emerged following a rigorous and competitive process.

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Speaking on the development, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, commended the 50 for making the list.

She also appreciated the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation for investing in building the proficiencies of the officers, noting that the candidates would receive academic scholarships from the Foundation to enable them to participate in the programme.

“The public sector is a key driver of a nation’s economic development, and by offering this world-class executive education programme to public servants, the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has shown a commendable commitment to the development of the nation.

“I congratulate all programme participants and urge them to take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain new knowledge that will help them be more effective in their roles,” Yemi-Esan said on Monday in Abuja in a statement by her spokesman, Mal AbdulGaniyu Aminu.

The HOS, who described the emergence of the 50 public servants as a welcome development, expressed optimism that their participation in the programme would be of immense benefit to the service as the officers would be exposed to best practices in contemporary public sector leadership from world-renowned scholars and outstanding practitioners.

Among other skills, the officers will learn how to lead effectively in a complex operating environment, foster collaboration within and across agencies and spearhead innovation throughout government.

According to the foundation, the programme will commence in September 2021 in Nigeria, while the next round of applications is slated to open in 2022.