By Godswill Michael
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to driving public sector reforms and improving service delivery across Africa as it returned as Diamond Partner for the 2026 International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) in Abuja.
The conference, convened by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, held from May 20 to 21 at Eagle Square, Abuja, under the theme “Reforms, Resilience, and Results,” attracted over 5,000 participants, including delegates from 16 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.
The foundation’s participation at ICSC 2026 builds on its longstanding collaboration with the Federal Civil Service through initiatives including the AIG Public Leaders Programme, the AIG Scholarships and Fellowship Programme, and support for the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025.
President Bola Tinubu declared the conference open through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, directing Ministries, Departments and Agencies to deepen digitalised work processes and signalling the end of manual and opaque governance.
As Diamond Partner, the highest category of partnership at the conference, the foundation shaped discussions through keynote addresses, strategic panels, an alumni-led roundtable and a reform exhibition.
Chairman of the foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, delivering the opening keynote on “Public-Private Collaboration for Service Delivery and Innovation,” said reform efforts must focus on building effective systems that directly impact citizens.
“The true measure of whether government is working or not is whether a passport is issued on time, roads are completed on schedule, hospitals function, pensions are paid without distress, and businesses can be registered without bureaucracy,” he said.
Aig-Imoukhuede also urged stronger collaboration between government and the private sector in advancing national development.
“The most successful nations are those where government and business work together, not against each other, as no government can do it alone,” he stated.
A key feature of the foundation’s participation was the alumni-led roundtable, “Navigating Public Sector Reform,” which brought together alumni of the AIG Public Leaders Programme, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and private sector stakeholders to discuss strategies for implementing reforms.
Executive Vice Chair of the foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, said the partnership underscored the organisation’s dedication to strengthening the civil service.
“The Civil Service remains central to national development,” she said. “Our continued partnership reflects our commitment to supporting public sector leaders with the tools, networks, and capabilities required to drive results.”
