The Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) issued a call for applications for its 2017 scholarships for a Masters degree in public policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, at the University of Oxford
The call was issued by the AIG chairman and founder, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, and founding directors, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Herbert Wigwe and Dr. Jeya Wilson, ahead of the inaugural meeting of the Initiative’s Panel of Advisors in Lagos, Nigeria. From 2017, the AIG will fund five scholarships each year as part of a new five-year partnership which is based on the shared purpose of building good governance and public leadership.
The AIG is a Foundation established in recognition of the fact that Africa’s poor record of public sector governance is a critical factor preventing the continent from achieving its true potential. The initiative brings together proven private sector innovation, leadership and funding into a private-public partnership to attract, inspire and support future leaders of Africa’s public sector. The AIG believes that the high-calibre individuals trained at the Blavatnik School will drive best practice standards of governance across Africa, ensuring sustainable economic growth and social justice.
AIG chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said, “The AIG Scholarship and Fellowship initiatives are scalable interventions aimed at tackling Africa's intractable challenge of poor public sector leadership. I am confident that our partnership with Oxford University's prestigious Blavatnik School will become fertile ground for growing future statesmen and women who will change the African continent for good. I encourage anyone who believes that they fit the profile for these scholarships and fellowships to apply.
The AIG Scholarships will have an initial focus on candidates from Nigeria and Ghana, allowing the students to study for a Master of Public Policy (MPP) alongside classmates from across the globe. Along with the scholarship scheme will be an academic fellowship scheme open to senior officials or practitioners working in or with government and who are resident in West Africa.