Building Capacity, Creating Impact: The AIG PLP Success Story
The transformation of Africa's public sector hinges on a critical foundation: developing the skills and capabilities of the individuals who power our institutions. At the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, we have witnessed firsthand how investing in capacity building creates ripple effects that extend far beyond individual growth, reaching entire organisations and the communities they serve.
From Learning to Implementation
The reform projects of the AIG Public Leaders Programme (PLP) showcase what is possible when public servants are equipped with both the knowledge and practical skills to drive meaningful change. These projects represent the culmination of participants' learning journeys on the programme, where theoretical concepts transform into actionable solutions addressing real challenges within their organisations.
What makes these projects particularly meaningful is their focus on sustainability and skills transfer. Participants don't simply implement isolated initiatives—they build capabilities within their teams that ensure continued growth long after the initial project concludes.
"The programme gave me not just technical knowledge, but the confidence to lead change in my organisation," shares one participant. "Now I'm helping my colleagues develop these same skills, creating a community of practice focused on continuous improvement."
Collective Growth Through Collaboration
Each year, the top reform projects from the AIG Public Leaders Programme are selected through a process that is as collaborative as it is competitive—reflecting the very principles of peer learning and shared growth that the programme is built on.
Participants collaborate in groups to refine their ideas, exchange feedback, and strengthen their initiatives. Through a peer-driven process, participants select the top six projects, which are then presented before a panel of expert judges made up of distinguished leaders from public service, academia, and the private sector. From this final round, one winning project is chosen—an embodiment of innovation, feasibility, and impact.
The journey toward selecting our top capstone projects is a powerful learning experience in itself. As participants collaborate within their groups, they:
Provide constructive input that builds on others' ideas
Evaluate projects through multiple lenses to ensure comprehensive impact
Identify opportunities for knowledge sharing across diverse institutions
Celebrate collective achievements while acknowledging individual contributions
This process not only sharpens analytical and communication skills but also cultivates the spirit of mutual support and professional respect. These collaborative capabilities now shape how participants approach teamwork in their own institutions—creating more inclusive, agile, and impact-driven work environments.
Skills in Action: The DocFlow Success Story
The winning reform project from the fourth cohort of the programme (2024/2025)—the DocFlow System at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)—demonstrates the transformative power of skills development in action.
The project was designed to address a long-standing challenge: manual document tracking and approval processes at the CBN had been plagued by inefficiencies, leading to delays and loss of institutional memory. Several attempts had been made over the years to digitalise and streamline this workflow, but these efforts failed to take root—often due to lack of buy-in, insufficient training, and weak change management frameworks.
That changed with DocFlow.
Guided by the skills acquired through the AIG PLP, Akanimo Usoro (AIG PLP Cohort 4), the project lead applied a structured, people-centred approach as follows:
Strategic stakeholder engagement to secure buy-in across departments
Change management techniques to support staff through the transition
Project implementation approaches that allowed for incremental progress
Data analysis skills to measure and communicate impact effectively
During the presentation, Akanimo highlighted how DocFlow succeeded where others had failed—not because the technology was radically different, but because the approach was. It was the combination of soft skills and technical know-how that enabled genuine adoption and impact.
The results are compelling: 100% real-time document tracking, a 50% reduction in approval times, and successful deployment across 11 departments. But perhaps more importantly, the project laid the groundwork for ongoing skill development and process innovation at the CBN.
Building Organisational Capacity
What distinguishes our approach to capacity building is its focus on creating sustainable change through skills transfer. Across our top reform projects, we've seen participants develop innovative approaches to sharing knowledge within their organisations as follows:
Mentorship programmes that pair experienced staff with newer team members
Cross-functional working groups that break down institutional silos
Knowledge management systems that preserve institutional memory
Skills assessment frameworks that identify development opportunities
These initiatives ensure that the capabilities developed through the AIG PLP continue to grow and evolve within organisations, creating lasting impact beyond individual participants.
Creating a Community of Practice: The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Alumni Association
The connections formed during the programme have evolved into a vibrant community of practice—public sector leaders who continue to support each other's growth and development through the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Alumni Association. This network provides ongoing opportunities for collaboration and learning, reinforcing the skills developed during the formal programme.
"What's most valuable is knowing I'm not alone in this journey," reflects another participant. "We've created a community where we can share challenges, celebrate successes, and continue growing together."
This sense of community extends to how participants approach their work within their own organisations, fostering more collaborative and inclusive environments where skills development becomes a shared priority.
Join the Movement
A transformed African public sector begins with skilled, capable individuals who understand how to build capacity within their teams and organizations. The success of our capstone projects demonstrates that when public servants are equipped with the right skills and supportive networks, they become powerful catalysts for positive change.
At the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, we remain committed to building this capacity at every level, empowering public sector leaders to transform their institutions from within. We invite you to join this growing community of practice, where together we're developing the skills that will shape Africa's future.
Learn more about our capacity building programmes and how you can participate by clicking here.
Author: Temitope Abina