Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Seeks Stronger Strategies to Deliver Public Sector Reforms

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has urged public sector leaders to prioritise stakeholder engagement, institutional capacity building and accountability to ensure government reforms deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

The foundation made the call at its 2026 Public Sector Reform Convening in Lagos on October 14, where public officials, alumni and reform stakeholders examined challenges preventing policies from translating into effective public service delivery.

The convening, themed “Unblocking Reform: From Design to Delivery,” explored practical approaches to overcoming institutional resistance, building support for policy changes and sustaining reforms over time.

The foundation said its analysis of reform projects undertaken by its alumni network identified stakeholder engagement, communication, organisational culture and collaboration as major factors influencing implementation outcomes.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chair of the foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, said reform leaders must understand the institutional conditions that shape implementation rather than assume that sound policy design alone guarantees success.

She stressed the need to listen to those affected by reforms and deliberately build the support required to implement and sustain changes.

“This is not to suggest that every objection to reform is unreasonable or that resistance can simply be overcome through better communication. Rather, effective reform leadership requires an understanding of institutional contexts, a willingness to listen to those affected and a deliberate effort to build the support necessary for implementation,” she said.

In his keynote address, the Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Shuageeb Agoro, said implementation challenges could arise from inadequate skills, insufficient resources or a poor understanding of reform objectives.

He maintained that repeatedly issuing directives would not resolve capacity gaps, urging public sector leaders to communicate the purpose of reforms, equip institutions with the necessary capabilities and maintain accountability throughout the implementation process.

“A capacity gap cannot be resolved by repeating an instruction. Leaders must communicate the purpose of reforms, align institutions around their objectives, provide the resources and capabilities required for implementation, and ensure that accountability continues long after implementation,” Agoro said.

He also emphasised the importance of involving stakeholders at every level, noting that public servants were more likely to embrace reforms when they felt included in decision-making and implementation.

“People always feel better if they are carried along. Nobody wants to feel that they don’t matter. So it is always important to engage at all levels,” he added.

The event featured a panel discussion on “Advancing Reform: Building Buy-In and Coalitions” and an interactive session with experienced reform leaders, focusing on strategies for communicating change, securing stakeholder cooperation and sustaining institutional improvements.

Participants also engaged in a Reform Reality Check and a Reform Solutions Lab, where multidisciplinary groups developed practical responses to challenges relating to organisational support, stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

The sessions provided an opportunity for participants to identify solutions that could be adapted to their respective institutions to improve reform implementation.

The foundation said the convening was part of its broader effort to position its alumni network as a platform for peer learning, strategic dialogue and collaboration among public sector reform leaders across Africa.

It added that the initiative was designed to help ensure that reforms move beyond policy formulation to effective implementation, ultimately improving public service delivery and outcomes for citizens.