Women at the Forefront of Public Service

Throughout history, women have stepped forward as architects of change, proving time and time again that inclusive leadership strengthens societies. Across Africa and beyond, female leaders are not just participating in public service—they are transforming it. They are reshaping policies, driving reforms, and championing initiatives that foster economic growth, social development, and inclusive governance. 

One such leader is Dr. Ibiwunmi Oluokun, a Healthcare Leader and Medical Officer of Health at the Lagos State Primary Health Care (PHC) Board. Her story is one of resilience, vision, and action. At the Isheri-Olofin PHC in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Dr. Oluokun identified a persistent issue: patients spent an average of 82 minutes waiting at the outpatient clinic, leading to congestion, frustration, and inefficiency. Driven by a desire to improve service delivery, she conducted a baseline survey in January 2024 to diagnose the root causes. Her findings pointed to duplication of patient records, inefficient clinic processes, and delays at the vital signs desk. 

Armed with insights and leadership skills honed during the AIG Public Leaders Programme, she set out to create a compelling case for reform. Through strategic communication and stakeholder engagement, she secured buy-in from key decision-makers at the Lagos State PHC Board. The result? A transformational project that streamlined clinic operations and drastically reduced patient wait times from 82 minutes to just 31 minutes within two weeks of implementation. 

What started as a single initiative soon inspired district-wide reforms, with over 50 PHCs across Lagos Health District 1 replicating her model. By fostering a culture of quality improvement, Dr. Oluokun proved that one woman’s vision could ignite systemic change. 

In South Africa, another trailblazer, Zukiswa Mqolomba, Deputy Chairperson and National Commissioner at the Public Service Commission (PSC), is pioneering a transformation that demonstrates how thoughtful infrastructure can empower public servants to better serve citizens. When Zukiswa, an alumna of the AIG Public Leaders Programme (AIG PLP), assumed her leadership role at the PSC, she quickly identified a significant barrier to excellence: PSC staff lacked adequate access to research materials, policy documents, and reference resources needed to fulfill their critical oversight mandate.

"For an institution charged with promoting excellence in public service, we were operating at a disadvantage," Zukiswa explains. "Our staff were relying on external libraries with limited collections, compromising both efficiency and thoroughness in our work." 

Rather than accepting these limitations, Zukiswa envisioned a modern solution that would leapfrog conventional approaches: a hybrid resource center that seamlessly blends physical and digital resources. "We're creating not just a library, but a knowledge ecosystem," Zukiswa notes. "In today's complex governance environment, public servants need diverse perspectives and robust evidence to make informed decisions." 

While a resource centre might seem removed from frontline service delivery, its effects cascade throughout the public service system. When PSC investigators have immediate access to case precedents and legal frameworks, their oversight becomes more thorough and effective. When policy analysts can review international best practices, their recommendations become more innovative and contextually appropriate. When report writers can access comprehensive research, their communications become more precise and impactful. The result? A more competent, informed, and effective Public Service Commission that better serves South African citizens through improved governance and accountability. 

In Nigeria, Chioma Wogu-Ogbonna, Director of Architecture at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and AIG PLP Alumna, is leading a silent revolution in the sprawling landscape of Nigeria's public infrastructure. For decades, Nigeria has grappled with a fundamental challenge: despite possessing thousands of public buildings and housing assets nationwide, the government lacked comprehensive data on these properties—their location, condition, value, and utilization. 

"You cannot effectively manage what you cannot measure," Chioma notes. "Without reliable data, we were essentially navigating blindfolded, making it nearly impossible to plan maintenance, allocate resources efficiently, or maximize the economic potential of these assets." 

Recognising the magnitude of this challenge, Chioma conceived an ambitious initiative: developing a comprehensive digital inventory system for all federal public buildings and housing assets. "We're creating digital twins of our physical infrastructure," Chioma explains. "This allows us to monitor, analyse, and optimize our building assets with unprecedented precision." 

Bringing such an ambitious vision to life required both technical expertise and strategic collaboration. Chioma's approach demonstrates her sophisticated understanding of change management in the public sector. First, she secured buy-in from stakeholders across government by articulating how the system would support their specific mandates and challenges. Next, she established partnerships with IT experts to develop customized software solutions that balanced sophistication with user-friendliness. Then, she implemented a comprehensive training program to ensure staff at all levels could effectively utilize the new system. 

While digital infrastructure inventories might seem technical and removed from everyday life, their effects reach deep into communities across Nigeria. When a primary healthcare centre in a remote village is properly maintained because the system flagged its deteriorating condition, maternal and infant mortality rates decline. When government office buildings operate efficiently because resources are allocated based on actual needs rather than guesswork, public services become more accessible and responsive. When underutilised properties are identified and repurposed, new opportunities for economic activity emerge. 

"This isn't just about buildings—it's about what happens inside them," Chioma emphasises. "These structures accommodate essential services that touch every aspect of Nigerian life." 

The stories of Dr. Oluokun, Zukiswa Mqolomba, and Chioma Wogu-Ogbonna stand as powerful examples of how women leaders in public service are creating enabling environments for excellence. Their initiatives have already achieved significant milestones, and as their projects continue to develop, their impact will grow exponentially. 

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation remains unwavering in its mission to improve governance in Africa. Through its capacity-building programmes and mentorship initiatives, more women are breaking barriers, leading reforms, and shaping policies that drive national, regional, and continental development. 

Let us continue to support, mentor, and uplift the women in public service who are working tirelessly to build a better, more inclusive future. Because when women rise, society rises with them. 

Authors: Fortune Tamunokuro Granville and Boluwatife Adetokunbo