JUST IN : Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Moves to Bridge Gap Between Policy Design, Implementation

By OGB Joseph, Abuja

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has convened public sector leaders, reform practitioners and stakeholders in Lagos to address the challenges hindering the implementation of government policies and institutional reforms across Africa.

The 2026 Public Sector Reform Convening, held on October 14, was themed *“Unblocking Reform: From Design to Delivery”* and focused on practical strategies for overcoming institutional barriers, strengthening stakeholder engagement and translating reform policies into tangible benefits for citizens.

The gathering drew on the Foundation’s work with its alumni network, a growing community of public sector reform leaders across the continent, as well as an analysis of alumni reform projects that identified stakeholder engagement, communication, organisational culture and collaboration as critical factors influencing the success or failure of reform initiatives.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chair of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, said effective reform required more than developing sound policies, stressing the need to understand institutional realities and secure the support of those responsible for implementing change.

She noted that resistance to reforms could not always be dismissed as unreasonable opposition, adding that reform leaders must be prepared to listen to affected stakeholders and understand the circumstances shaping their responses.

“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.

The Foundation said the convening was designed to strengthen the capacity of public sector leaders to navigate the complexities of reform implementation, particularly where institutional interests, organisational practices and resource constraints could undermine policy objectives.

The programme featured a keynote address by the Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Shuageeb Agoro, a panel discussion titled *“Advancing Reform: Building Buy-In and Coalitions,”* and an interactive session with experienced reform leaders.

The discussions centred on strategies for communicating change, building coalitions among stakeholders and sustaining reforms beyond their initial implementation.

Agoro emphasised the importance of identifying and addressing the underlying factors responsible for resistance to change, noting that implementation challenges could arise from inadequate skills, limited resources or a lack of understanding of reform objectives.

According to him, issuing directives repeatedly would not resolve capacity gaps or guarantee that institutions would deliver the intended outcomes.

“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,” he said.

He added that involving stakeholders at different levels of an organisation was essential to ensuring that they felt valued and understood their roles in the reform process.

“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,” Agoro said.

Participants also took part in an interactive Reform Reality Check and a Reform Solutions Lab, where multidisciplinary groups examined implementation challenges and developed practical approaches to improving organisational support, stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

The sessions enabled participants to identify actionable strategies that could be adapted to their respective institutions, with emphasis on building ownership of reforms and strengthening cooperation among those responsible for delivering them.

The Foundation’s approach reflects a broader recognition that well-designed policies do not automatically produce the desired results, particularly when implementation is weakened by poor communication, inadequate institutional capacity or insufficient engagement with affected groups.

By bringing together reform leaders and alumni from different professional backgrounds, the organisation seeks to promote peer learning, strategic dialogue and collaboration, allowing participants to share experiences and develop solutions to common public sector challenges.

The convening is part of the Foundation’s broader effort to position its alumni network as a platform for sustained engagement among public sector reform leaders across Africa.

Ultimately, the initiative seeks to ensure that public sector reforms move beyond policy documents and administrative directives to deliver measurable improvements in governance, public service delivery and the lives of citizens.