Nigeria Joins Cote d’Ivoire, Four Others on LEAPS Programme for Effective Public Sector Leadership

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The federal government on Tuesday launched Leadership Excellence in Africa’s Public Service (LEAPS) Programme, aimed at redefining public sector leadership.

With the launch, Nigeria joined Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Zimbabwe in the LEAPS programme.

The programme anchored by African Capacity Building Foundation is a response to the demand for visionary, innovative, and ethical leadership in the public service on the continent.

Launching the programme, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Lydia Jafiya, stressed the importance of the programme, saying it is to encourage transformative leaders in the public service.

Jafiya, who was represented by Deputy Director, International Development Fund, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Ibrahim Matazu, stressed that the public service remained the backbone of governance, tasked with delivering policies and services that uplift millions.

She said, “The LEAPS Programme, pioneered by the African Capacity Building Foundation, is more than a training initiative; it is a clarion call to redefine public sector leadership across our continent.

“In Nigeria, a nation central to Africa’s economic and demographic landscape, the demand for visionary, innovative, and ethical leaders has never been greater. Our public service is the backbone of governance, tasked with delivering policies and services that uplift millions.

“The LEAPS Programme is designed to empower directorate-level officers like you with the skills, mind-set, and strategic acumen to navigate complex challenges and catalyse sustainable development.

“What sets LEAPS apart is its focus on fostering transformative leadership that goes beyond technical expertise.”

Jafiya stated that the programme drew from the success of its inaugural cohort, launched in Zimbabwe in November 2024, where LEAPS emphasised competencies in leadership, strategic thinking, and innovation—qualities essential for addressing Nigeria’s unique priorities, from economic diversification to inclusive governance.

She added, “This programme aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, equipping leaders to champion a prosperous and resilient Africa.”

She urged selected participants from Nigeria to engage in dynamic learning, share best practices, and build networks that transcended borders, joining a pan-African movement of public servants committed to excellence.

Jafiya stated, “The ACBF’s vision, as echoed by leaders like Hon. Adama Coulibaly of Côte d’Ivoire, is to create a public sector that is not only effective but also a catalyst for transformative change. Today, we take a bold step toward realizing that vision in Nigeria.

“I urge you to seize this opportunity to hone your leadership, challenge conventional approaches, and drive policies that deliver tangible results for our people.

“Together, we can build a public service that is responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking, ensuring Nigeria’s rightful place as a leader in Africa’s development.”

In his opening remarks, Senior Advisor to the Executive Secretary on Strategy and Partnerships, Mr. Bakary Kone, said LEAPS was about investing in people, potential, and purpose-driven leadership.

Kone quoted a popular saying, “Nations do not rise because of their resources. They rise because of their leaders,” stating that the initiative is not just about launching a programme, but investing in something far more powerful than policy or infrastructure.

He stated, “Our public finance managers already possess technical excellence. What they now need is the transformational power of leadership. LEAPS is about leadership that inspires, influences, and delivers.

“It is about equipping our most capable professionals with the soft skills—vision ownership, integrity, emotional intelligence, adaptability, ethical decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving—that turn good managers into great leaders.

“This programme is not a classroom. It is a Launchpad. A catalyst. A movement.”

He stressed that the initiative was under the Enhancing Leadership and Governance in Public Financial Management in Africa, stating, “When we launched ELG-PFM on the side-lines of the African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Nairobi last May, one powerful question emerged: ‘How will this programme foster the kind of leadership Africa urgently needs – one that is resilient, ethical, and ready for the complexity of our times?’

“Well, today, Nigeria delivers part of the answer.

“Since November 2024, LEAPS has taken root across five countries – Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Zimbabwe – where 89 senior public officials completed a six-month transformation journey that concluded in June 2025.

“The feedback has been unanimous and inspiring: Leadership mind-sets are shifting. Institutions are evolving. Impact is happening.

“And now, with great pride, we mark the official arrival of LEAPS in Nigeria – home to every one African out of 6, Africa’s economic engine, and a critical player in shaping the continent’s public sector future.”

He said, “Africa today stands at a crossroads. Our continent faces: Complex fiscal landscapes, unrelenting global economic pressures, and growing citizen demands for transparency, equity, and results.”

Senior Programme Officer, Gates Foundation, Mr. Adil Ababou, in his remarks, said, “it is about ensuring that the public financial system can work better for the people, more efficiently, and avoid wastages. So, this is really what this contributes to.

“That’s not the only programme we are doing in that space, but this is one that we think can put the ownership on the financial insurers and the government. We are hoping this really contributes.”