Chioma Ogugua

Programmes Associate (Capacity Building)

Our Gap Closer of the month, Chioma Ogugua, Programmes Associate (Capacity Building), speaks about her work at the Foundation and what she finds most rewarding about it. “The most rewarding part of my work is seeing beneficiaries of our flagship programmes and training participants put their knowledge into action. Witnessing their impact is incredibly gratifying,” she says. 

Please share your educational and professional background 

Since my undergraduate studies in Environmental Science and Resource Management, I have been driven by a desire to be instrumental in creating evidence-based change. I further honed this focus by earning an MSc in Disaster, Risk Management, and Development Studies from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 

My professional career has been primarily centered on working with SMEs; I most recently served as a Technical Business/Research Analyst in a firm focused on automating government policies. In a prior organisation, I managed trainings under the Green Stimulus Framework, Digital Youth Nigeria- (Business Process Outsourcing skills, Internet of Things/IT Hardware skills, Software and Coding skills and Animation/Graphics skills), as well as the Work experience programme (WEP) based on the Economic Sustainability Plan financed through the COVID-19 Stimulus budget. These experiences deepened my understanding of how technology can drive public sector efficiency and provided me with a strong foundation in designing and executing complex initiatives. Over time, based on my interactions with stakeholders, I became increasingly drawn to the development sector, recognizing the unique opportunity to apply my skills to drive impactful, systemic change in public service. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in the development sector? 

I am inspired by the conviction that, for our beloved country Nigeria to achieve its full potential, we must first develop a public service that is efficient, ethical, and equipped to address our most pressing challenges. My professional trajectory has been guided by a commitment to that mission, driven by a desire to contribute directly to the fulfillment of that mission. The development sector, and particularly our work at the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, provides a unique platform to move beyond theoretical concepts of change to actively implement them through strategic investments in human capital and institutions. 

What do you do at the Foundation? 

I work in the Capacity Building team as a Programmes Associate. In a nutshell, I am responsible for the strategic planning of the AIG Visiting Fellowship, Career Exchange Programme which I believe is a revolutionary programme. I also work collaboratively with the team to achieve customised trainings. My role involves everything from programme planning, design and implementation to managing key stakeholder relationships while ensuring that our programmes deliver on their intended impact. 

What does your typical day look like? 

There isn't a "typical" day, which is what makes my work exciting and engaging! A day could involve anything from developing required documents, to a strategic planning session as a team, attending a virtual meeting with training institutes or an in-person meeting with stakeholders. As a team, we ensure our programmes run smoothly and that we are on track to achieving our long-term goals. 

What makes the work that we do at the Foundation unique? 

Our work is unique because of our strategic focus on human capital. We don’t just address immediate problems; we invest in people- Capacity Building. By building the capacity of a critical mass of skilled and ethical public servants, we are creating a ripple effect of change that will last for generations. We are committed to fostering leaders who can drive and sustain reforms from within the system. 

What do you find most rewarding about your work? 

The most rewarding part of my work is seeing beneficiaries of our flagship programmes and training participants put their knowledge into action. Whether it’s seeing a Fellow of practice or a Master of Public Policy return from their program and implement a new policy or getting positive feedback from our trainees about making use of tools they have been trained to use or lead a successful project, witnessing their impact is incredibly gratifying.