Bridging Public and Private Sectors: Creating Cross-Sector Partnerships for Governance Innovation
In today's rapidly evolving world, the complexity of governance challenges across Africa has reached unprecedented levels. Traditional approaches to addressing issues in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other critical sectors are proving insufficient against the backdrop of rapid technological advancement, growing citizen expectations, and evolving economic realities. The interconnected nature of these challenges means that fragmented, single-sector responses often fall short of creating the systemic change required. At the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, we believe that transformative governance can only be achieved through strategic, cross-sector partnerships that harness the complementary strengths of both public and private sectors. Our work is rooted in fostering collaboration that enhances public service delivery and drives real, measurable impact across Africa.
The Imperative for Public-Private Collaboration
Africa’s governance challenges- bureaucratic inefficiencies, outdated systems, and capacity gaps-require more than government action alone. The private sector brings cutting-edge technology, innovation, and a performance-driven culture that can revolutionise how governments function. The question then becomes: how can we bring these two worlds together in a way that accelerates governance transformation?
At the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, we do more than advocate for change. We build the bridge between the public and private sectors—connecting Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) with partners eager to contribute meaningfully to national development. This model goes beyond corporate social responsibility (CSR); it frames governance innovation as a shared responsibility and a shared opportunity—for practical, scalable, and sustainable impact.
A Track Record of Strategic Partnerships
Our journey is defined by partnerships that deliver not only funding but long-term capacity-building, innovation, and policy transformation.
Partnering with the OPTS: Building Leadership for Public Sector Excellence
The OPTS, a subgroup of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is a leading private industry group comprising about 30 oil and gas companies responsible for approximately 85% of Nigeria’s production. OPTS is committed to sustainable energy development and national progress, investing heavily in areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure to support local capacity and socioeconomic growth.
In 2024, the OPTS partnered with the Foundation to fund the Federal Civil Service Directors’ Training Programme, a high-impact leadership development initiative designed to enhance the leadership, managerial, and technical competencies of Directors across Federal Ministries.
With the support of OPTS, 61 directors across key Ministries were trained in global best practices in leadership, business communications, and project management. The training strengthened the ability of participants to lead their Ministries more effectively, advance communications and team cohesions, and improve project planning and implementation. The programme also served to create a robust pipeline of competent leaders ready to transition into the role of Permanent Secretaries, guaranteeing sustained excellence in public service delivery.
Supporting the Federal Civil Service Directors’ Training aligns with OPTS’s mission to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development by strengthening the institutions that shape policy, manage resources, and ensure a stable, efficient operating environment. For OPTS, this training is not just a CSR gesture- it is a strategic investment in governance capacity that underpins a resilient and enabling ecosystem for long-term industry success and national prosperity.
This collaboration demonstrated that private sector actors can do more than write cheques- they can help shape the future of governance. OPTS’s investment signaled a significant shift in how private enterprises perceive their role in public sector development- not as bystanders or external observers, but as strategic contributors to national transformation.
The success of the programme was undeniable. It sparked such demand and visible transformation that, in 2025, a second round of OPTS-sponsored training is now underway, further embedding a culture of leadership excellence within the Federal Civil Service. This continued commitment reflects not just belief in the programme’s value, but trust in the Foundation’s approach to delivering results.
Partnering with Coronation Group: Driving Digital Transformation in Governance
Coronation Group is a leading African financial services group with interests spanning investment banking, asset management, insurance, and technology. With a strong commitment to advancing Africa’s development, Coronation understands that efficient public institutions are critical to creating an enabling environment for private sector growth and economic stability. Supporting digitalisation in the public sector aligns with Coronation’s broader vision of fostering innovation, accountability, and sustainable progress.
Coronation Group partnered with the Foundation to provide funding and technical support for the implementation of an Enterprise Content Management Solution (ECMS) at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
ECMS is a secure, digitised system that improves how institutional knowledge is stored, retrieved, and managed across Civil Service operations. It allows the OHCSF to preserve institutional memory, reduce paper-based inefficiencies, and increase transparency and accountability in service delivery.
What began as a pilot digital transformation initiative at the OHCSF has fundamentally reshaped the trajectory of Nigeria's civil service modernisation agenda. The successful implementation of the project established the blueprint and provided a proven framework that is now driving comprehensive digitalisation across the entire federal civil service system. This pioneering work has become the cornerstone upon which systematic digital transformation of government operations is being built. Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are now experiencing firsthand how strategic digital infrastructure can eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, enhance operational efficiency, and create new standards for public service excellence.
By championing digitalisation in the public sector, Coronation not only supported improved service delivery within government but is also enabling the development of a digital-first governance culture that ultimately benefits businesses, investors, and citizens alike, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of private sector involvement in public sector transformation.
Following the success of the OHCSF digitalisation project, the Foundation has signed formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three more MDAs:
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
The Federal Civil Service Commission
The Federal Ministry of Justice
Though these digitalisation projects are still in progress, the technical and financial support already committed reflects the Foundation’s dedication to scaling innovation across the Civil Service. The ripple effect is clear: what started as a pioneering move by the Foundation is now a growing movement, inspiring a new vision for governance in Nigeria.
How These Partnerships Work: A Model for Success
What sets the Foundation apart is our intentionality in partnership building. We view partners not as donors or sponsors, but as co-creators and collaborators that deliver maximum impact:
Engagement and Alignment: We begin by listening. Each partnership starts with a deep understanding of the potential partner’s goals, values, and impact priorities. This allows us to identify mutual value and co-create programmes that align with both the Foundation’s mission and the partner’s strategic objectives.
Co-Design and Implementation for Sustainability: All our programmes are developed and executed collaboratively. From the Directors’ Training funded by OPTS to digitalisation supported by Coronation Group, our initiatives are not off-the-shelf solutions. They are bespoke, relevant, and scalable, driven by real-time feedback from stakeholders.
Measuring & Scaling Impact: Regular feedback loops ensure that programmes evolve based on real-world impact. The OPTS training was renewed based on its evident success; the digitalisation project is expanding due to its measurable efficiencies.
Continuous Learning and Improvement: Post-implementation, we facilitate learning loops to evaluate impact and identify areas for growth. This has helped us maintain long-term partnerships and evolve programmes to meet emerging needs.
Scaling What Works: When partnerships demonstrate value—as the digitalisation of the OHCSF has—the Foundation actively works to scale their success across other MDAs, creating ripple effects that go beyond the pilot site.
The Ripple Effect: Inspiring a New Paradigm
The results of these partnerships speak for themselves:
The ECMS solution, initially piloted at the OHCSF, is now being actively implemented for wider government use, creating a blueprint for digital transformation in public administration. This is a testament to our ability to lead from the front and catalyse system-wide reform.
The Federal Directors’ Training Programme, made possible through OPTS’s support, is now about to run a second cohort, building a stronger, more competent leadership pipeline for the Civil Service.
These programmes are not isolated interventions. They are part of a broader, intentional strategy to redefine how governance can be improved through smart, strategic partnerships.
But this is just the beginning. We invite more private sector leaders to join us. Whether through funding, technical support, or expertise, your involvement can accelerate Africa’s governance transformation.
Conclusion: The Future of Governance is Collaborative
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s partnerships with OPTS and Coronation Group is proof that when the public and private sectors unite, transformative change is possible. By combining resources, innovation, and commitment, we are redefining governance in Africa- one collaboration at a time.
To our current partners- thank you. Your belief in our mission continues to make extraordinary and sustainable impact possible.
To potential partners: The bridge between sectors is open. Will you cross it with us?
Let’s innovate. Let’s collaborate. Let’s transform governance, together.
Author: Mark Mbat