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The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has urged public sector leaders to address institutional challenges, engage stakeholders and strengthen accountability to ensure the effective implementation of government reforms.
The foundation made the call at its 2026 Public Sector Reform Convening, themed “Unblocking Reform: From Design to Delivery,” held in Lagos on October 14.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chair of the foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, said successful reforms required a clear understanding of institutional realities and deliberate efforts to secure the support of those affected by proposed changes.
She said resistance to reform should not automatically be regarded as unreasonable, stressing that effective leadership required listening to stakeholders and building the necessary support to sustain implementation.
“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 event brought together public sector leaders, alumni of the foundation’s programmes and other reform stakeholders to examine the challenges preventing well-designed policies from translating into improved public service delivery.
The foundation said an analysis of reform projects undertaken by members of its alumni network identified stakeholder engagement, communication, organisational culture and collaboration as key factors influencing the success of reform initiatives.
In his keynote address, the Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Shuageeb Agoro, said leaders must identify the underlying causes of resistance to reforms, noting that implementation challenges could arise from inadequate skills, insufficient resources or a lack of understanding.
Agoro said issuing instructions repeatedly would not address capacity gaps, urging public sector leaders to communicate the objectives of reforms, equip institutions with the resources needed to implement them and sustain accountability beyond the implementation stage.
“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 engaging stakeholders at all levels was essential to ensuring that public servants felt included 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.
The programme also featured a panel discussion on “Advancing Reform: Building Buy-In and Coalitions” and an interactive session with experienced reform leaders on communicating change, securing stakeholder support and sustaining reforms.
Participants further engaged in a Reform Reality Check and a Reform Solutions Lab, where multidisciplinary groups developed practical approaches to improving organisational support, stakeholder engagement and collaboration within their respective institutions.
The convening forms part of the foundation’s efforts to strengthen its alumni network as a platform for peer learning, strategic dialogue and collaboration among public sector reform leaders across Africa.
The foundation said the initiative was aimed at helping public institutions move beyond policy design to effective implementation that delivers better outcomes for citizens.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation was founded by Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede to support public sector transformation in Africa through leadership development, financing, strategic advisory services and capacity-building programmes.
