Nigeria Joins Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe on LEAPS Programme for Effective Public Sector Leadership

By: Michael Mike

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

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

The programme which is 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.

Lauching the programme, the Permanent Secretary 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 the Deputy Director, International Development Fund, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Ibrahim Matazu, stressed that the public service remains 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, mindset, and strategic acumen to navigate complex challenges and catalyze sustainable development.

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

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

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

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

She noted that: “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, for Strategy and Partnerships said LEAPS, Mr. Bakary Kone, is about investing in people, in potential, and in 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 to invest in something far more powerful than policy or infrastructure—we are here to invest in people, in potential, and in purpose-driven leadership.”

He noted that “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 is under the Enhancing Leadership and Governance in Public Financial Management in Africa, stating that: “When we launched ELG-PFM on the sidelines of the African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Nairobi last May, one powerful question emerged: “How will this program 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 mindsets 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 that “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.”

On his part, 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.”

Nigeria Joins Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe on LEAPS Programme for Effective Public Sector Leadership