Programmes Analyst (Leadership Development)
Our Gap Closer of the month, Opeyemi Thomas, Programmes Analyst (Leadership Development), speaks about her work at the Foundation and what she finds most rewarding about it.
“What I find most rewarding is using evidence to identify gaps, inform decisions and contribute to strategic improvements that make processes, systems and institutions more effective and deliver better outcomes,” she says.
Please share your educational and professional background.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Ecotourism Management from the University of Ibadan. My academic background shaped my interest in environmental sustainability, which has since broadened to sustainable systems development. My professional experience spans development initiatives, programme management and delivery, research and data analysis, and public sector reform.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the development sector?
My interest in the development sector is rooted in the belief that driving change requires more than addressing immediate needs; it is understanding the underlying challenges and strengthening the systems that shape people's lives for the better. My experiences across sustainability, humanitarian work, community development, and youth empowerment have reinforced this belief and deepened my interest in how research, policy and effective institutions can contribute to meaningful, lasting impact.
Walk us through the work you do, who it impacts and what you find most rewarding about it.
My work in the Programmes function spans leadership development and management consulting. I support programmes’ selection processes, analyse data to generate talent pipeline insights, and contribute to initiatives focused on improving civil service processes, including digitalisation, and implementing public sector reforms.
What I find most rewarding is using evidence to identify gaps, inform decisions and contribute to strategic improvements that make processes, systems and institutions more effective and deliver better outcomes.
What is one project or moment at the Foundation that you are especially proud of, and why?
One project I am particularly proud of is the talent pipeline insights work for the Aig-Imoukhuede Public Leaders Programme. It provided an opportunity to look beyond application numbers, gain insights into the programme’s reach and inform strategy. These insights contributed to a broader review of the selection process and helped identify opportunities to strengthen future programme cycles. It reinforced my belief in the value of using evidence to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
How has your work at the Foundation shaped your perspective on public sector reform in Nigeria?
My work at the Foundation has helped me appreciate that public sector reform goes beyond developing policies or introducing new systems; it is about ensuring that these translate into meaningful change. Through my work across leadership development and management consulting, I have come to see how capable people, effective processes and institutional commitment can shape the implementation of reforms. It has reinforced my belief that meaningful reform is not just about what changes on paper, but whether those changes improve how public institutions function and serve citizens.