Oby Ezekwesili has a protracted historical past in schooling. The founding father of Transparency Worldwide and former minister in Nigeria, together with that of schooling, has spent the previous couple of years specializing in constructing the following crop of public sector leaders. In early October, a brand new crop of scholars graduated from her programme. Abdulkareem Baba-Aminu reviews.
That sunny Abuja morning on the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Heart, 262 college students from the Faculty of Politics, Coverage and Governance (SPPG) bought on the stage to obtain certificates, rising as change brokers of types in Nigeria’s push for good governance and accountable management. The October 4, 2025 commencement, themed ‘Embracing and Getting ready Leaders of a New International Order The place Africa Builds on Its Personal Phrases’, proved to be a rallying cry and, for a lot of, a metamorphosis.
“You might be leaders outfitted to form the way forward for Nigeria, Africa, and past. The SPPG imaginative and prescient has at all times been clear: to boost a era of moral, competent, and succesful leaders who’re outlined by a capability to resolve public issues with integrity,” stated Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, founding father of SPPG. Her phrases had been sharp, insistent, and hopeful.
The occasion was headlined by keynote speaker, Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, one-time Deputy President of South Africa, who painted an image of Africa as a land wealthy in assets, potential, and other people, but struggling underneath failed management. “We should reject corruption and champion the rights of girls and marginalized teams,” she urged, reminding the graduates that management will not be an entitlement however an obligation.
Graduating college students spoke of battle, goal, and ambition. Omolola Oluwaseun Oluwadara, winner of the Benjamin and Cecilia Ujubuonu Award and co-recipient of the Dean’s Award, stated she considered her award not merely as recognition of her efficiency, however as a cost. “That is greater than an accolade. It’s a dedication: to make use of my studying to contribute to sincere coverage, to serve the place hope appears distant, to steer the place braveness is uncommon,” she stated.
One other pupil, Duke Olurin, who additionally took the Dean’s Award, spoke of the ethical dimensions of politics. “As they are saying, each public coverage, nonetheless technical, carries with it the burden of individuals’s lives,” he stated. Whereas these voices could symbolize the very best in educational achievement, their conviction lies in goal.
“We’re saying that it’s not our future to be ruled by the worst amongst us. And in the event you reject a scenario, then you will need to act to appropriate it,” Ezekwesili, nonetheless, warned.
Mlambo-Ngcuka additionally spoke of the paradox of Africa: “a wealthy continent with poor individuals as a consequence of poor management.” She known as on the graduates not solely to refuse corruption, but in addition to embody values of justice and inclusion. Her message was highly effective on gender and marginalisation.
Additionally recognised had been peace advocates Imam Muhammad Nurain Ashafa, Pastor James Wuye, and Mrs. Ngizan Chahul who obtained the Lifetime of Influence Award for his or her contributions to neighborhood peace and growth. Their presence served as tangible proof that management is lived, not merely taught.
For Ezekwesili, the certificates handed to every graduate is much less an endpoint than a starting. She reminded them that character and competence are non-negotiable. The usual of admission into SPPG is excessive, however sustaining that commonplace in public life, she stated, is what is going to distinguish genuine management.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, amongst others current, inspired the brand new leaders to deal with politics as a vocation of service reasonably than a ladder of self-interest. “You possibly can by no means give what you don’t have,” he cautioned, urging the category of 2025 to first construct demonstrable service and integrity earlier than searching for public workplace.
By the shut of the day, graduates radiated with the vitality of individuals dedicated to a simply, inclusive, and affluent Africa. If they continue to be trustworthy to the values emphasised by Ezekwesili, Mlambo-Ngcuka, and others, they might assist reshape not solely Nigeria’s future, however even that of your entire continent.
The SPPG has expanded its attain past Nigeria and now operates in a number of African nations, together with Senegal and Kenya. It’s also designing programmes for Ghana, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Financing for SPPG comes from its founder in addition to from various philanthropic organisations that share its mission of reforming African politics and management schooling.
Ezekwesili, who holds a Grasp in Public Coverage and Administration from the Harvard Kennedy Faculty, teaches various programs at SPPG and has leveraged her in depth community to deliver a number of the most recognised and foremost specialists in governance, coverage, and management to the programme.
College students pay a modest tuition price, although the programme is essentially subsidised to advertise the reform agenda of #FixPolitics, as Ezekwesili calls it. As she places it: “We’ve got been let down by our leaders for too lengthy. Our youth is craving for change, and we have to create a military of latest leaders in politics. These graduates give me hope sooner or later.”
Historically, public‑governance schooling has been accessible solely to a privileged few or to people despatched overseas by their governments. SPPG, and related initiatives such because the African Faculty of Governance in Kigali, Rwanda, purpose to make excessive‑high quality governance schooling extra accessible—growing management abilities, information, and new mindsets by way of rigorous, Africa‑centric studying.
Since its launch in 2021, SPPG has graduated greater than 1019 college students throughout a number of cohorts.
