“Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 AIG Scholarships, the organisation’s fully funded scholarships programme for outstanding West Africans who are determined make a difference in their country’s public sector upon completion of their Master of Public Policy programme at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.”

The Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) today announced the recipients of the 2018/2019 round of the AIG Scholarships, the organisation’s fully funded scholarship programme for young, outstanding West Africans with a passion for public service. Commencing 2017, for a period of five years, five scholarships are made available every year by AIG to talented West Africans from all backgrounds who are passionate about the public sector, to pursue the Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Upon graduation, AIG Scholars are expected to return to their home country and apply their learning experience as change agents in their country’s public sector

The 2018/2019 AIG Scholars are Adetola Adegbite (Nigeria), Blessing Ajimoti (Nigeria), Prosper Amuquandoh (Ghana), Louisa Chinedu-Okeke (Nigeria) and Tobechukwu Nneli (Nigeria).

“We are pleased to announce our second cohort of AIG Scholars,” said Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Founder and Chairman of AIG. “Public service is one of the fundamental contributors to national development and it is critical to encourage talented, young individuals as regards the crucial role that they play in the process. With AIG’s continuing support, these high-calibre women and men will acquire the skills and experience to drive best practice standards of public service and governance across Africa”.

The AIG Scholarships are funded by AIG under a partnership entered into, in June 2016, between AIG and the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, based on a shared vision of improving the world through good governance and public leadership. AIG Scholars are determined after a rigorous process which assesses key qualities such as outstanding academic ability, leadership and strong commitment to public service.

“The AIG Scholarship Awards selection process is a very competitive one, with thousands of talented individuals applying from across Nigeria and Ghana,” said Ms. Chienye Ogwo, Chief Executive Officer of AIG. “We congratulate this year’s awardees and remain committed to our mission to seek, attract, inspire and support future leaders of Africa’s public sector.”

“I feel a great sense of achievement, and very lucky to be given this opportunity,” said Mr. Prosper Amuquandoh, a first-class graduate of Physics and Computer Science from the University of Ghana, and one of the 2018 AIG Scholars. “The multidisciplinary nature of the programme will empower me with an advanced level of competence to achieve my goals of being an effective public policy practitioner.”

“The uniqueness of the AIG Scholarship is that it is an initiative by Africans, with Africans and for Africa,” said Mr. Tobechukwu Nneli, another 2018 AIG Scholar and first-class Political Science and Public Administration graduate of the University of Benin. “The Scholarship is very important to me because I see it as a workable solution to Africa’s development quagmire and an awesome opportunity for me to contribute to the development of my country, and by extension, my continent.”

AIG also today, announced the opening of the application window for the 2019/2020 AIG Scholarships. The application window will close on Friday, September 14, 2018.

For media enquiries, contact:

Chinasa Ken-Ugwuh [email protected]

ABOUT AFRICA INITIATIVE FOR GOVERNANCE (AIG)

Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) is a not-for-profit founded to inspire the transformation of Africa’s public sector. AIG works with governments, academic institutions and other partners to improve governance and transform public sector performance.

AIG’s pioneering initiative brings proven private sector innovation, leadership and funding to the public sector, in a private-public partnership that seeks to attract, inspire and support future leaders of Africa’s public sector. With AIG’s continuing support, these high-calibre individuals will be able to drive best practice standards of governance in Africa, ensuring sustainable economic growth and social justice.

For more information, visit www.aigafrica.org.

ABOUT THE BLAVATNIK SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT

Founded at the University of Oxford in 2010, the Blavatnik School of Government exists to inspire and support better government and public policy around the world. The Blavatnik School teaches current and future public leaders through innovative programmes, conducts deep research into pressing issues facing policymakers around the world, and convenes leaders and experts to foster better public policy. With a strong global outlook, the school combines insights from a range of academic disciplines and derives lessons from the public, private and third sectors. www.bsg.ox.ac.uk

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