2025 Speakers

The International Civil Service Conference featured speakers from the worlds of government and business, both in Nigeria and overseas

MRS. DIDI ESTHER WALSON-JACK, OON, mni
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Nigeria

DR JOE ABAH, OON
Vice President and Country Director, Nigeria, DAI

KASHIFU INUWA ABDULLAHI (KIA), CCIE
DG/CEO, NITDA, Nigeria

JAMES FOLUSHO KAYODE ABIONA
CEO, JFK Abiona Consultancy Ltd

OTUNBA BIMBO ASHIRU
Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Nigeria

SIOBHAN BENITA
Event Moderator, Global Government Forum

KEVIN CUNNINGTON
Former Director General, Government Digital Service (GDS), United Kingdom, and Expert Advisor, Global Government Forum

KACHOLLOM SHANGTI DAJU, mni
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Republic of Nigeria

JOY DARIYE
Country Director, Nigeria, Tony Blair Institute

INNOCENT FRED EJOLU
Portifolio Advisor, United Nations Development Programme

AHMED LADAN GOBIR, FCIPM, fnli
President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria and Board Member, African HR Confederation

DR OTIVE IGBUZOR
Founding Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD)

NANA OGUNTOLA
Liberal Democrat Councillor, Milton Keynes City Council, United Kingdom

DR (MRS) OLUFOLAKEMI GBONJUBOLA OLOMOJOBI
Head of Service, Ekiti State Civil Service, Nigeria

HONOURABLE (DR.) OLUBUNMI TUNJI-OJO
Minister of Interior, Nigeria

WILLIAM ROBINSON
Head of Governance and Stability, British High Commission

CYRIL NSIAH
Former Clerk, Parliament, Ghana

DR. DEBORAH O.N. ODOH
Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Government of Nigeria

PROF OLU OLASODE, PHD, DBE, APSA, FCCA
Executive Chairman, TL First Consulting Group

MS. THELMA EKIYOR
Chairperson & co-Founder, Proof Accelerator, SME.NG and co0Founder, She Works Here

JOSEPH NGOZI IKPEAMAEZE
Director, Civil Service Transformation, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

OLUWASEUN FALEYE, Managing Director, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)

MS. ELSIE GYEKYEWAA ATTAFUAH
Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme

BEATRICE EJODAMEN JEDY-AGBA, OON, MNI
Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice

ENGR. (DR) ABISOYE COKER-ODUSOTE
Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)

JACK SIM
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Singapore

DR. ABDUL A. MAMMAN
Procurement and Supply Chain Management

HELEN CHIBAKYI GARPIYA
Director, Leadership Management & Succession Planning

ENO OLOTU
Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

SOTONYE EHIMIAGHE
Lawyer, Member, West Africa Association of Customer Service Professionals’ Trainers Network

PROFESSOR KINGSLEY MOGHALU
President, Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation

MRS OLUBUNMI OLUFUNKE ONI,mni
Head of Service, Oyo State

FATIMA SUGRA TABI’A MAHMOOD
Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF)

AKPEZI OGBUIGWE
Legal expert and environmental campaigner

LAYEFA BOZIMO
Personal Assistant, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

WUMI OGHOETUOMA
Founder and CEO, Crown Interactive, Program Director, 1Government Cloud at Galaxy Backbone Limited

DR. CELESTINA NKECHI EKE, PhD, FICIArb, FNIQS, mni
Member, Institutional Reform Task Team and the Presidential Advisory Sub-Committee on Housing

ESV KATHLEEN OMAMODE ERHIMU
Founder & Group Managing Director, Kudimata Group

DR. ZAINAB MARWA
Founder, Zawram Consulting Ltd.

ARC. JOY OSARETIN BADERIN FNIA PMP
Director, Infrastructure Management & Acting Director (Permanent Secretary’s Office), Special Duties Office, OHCSF

CHINYERE VIVIAN OBI-OBASI
Writer, Publisher, Master of ceremony, Comedienne, Rapporteur, Public Speaker

OGBA UKPAPI
Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Environment

HON. AYODELE OLAWANDE
Minister of State for Youth Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria

DR. FRANCISCA ODEKA
Public Policy Strategist, Governance & Performance Management Expert

HAMZA KHAYAT
Head of the Follow-up of the banking activity service, General Treasury of the Kingdom, Morocco

MOHAMMED SHEIDU
Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Federal Republic of Nigeria

MOJISOLA-MIMI AKOSE ABU. PhD, FCIA, MCIPM
Director, Organisation Design and Development, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

DR. MAGDALENE N. AJANI
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Nigeria

PRINCESS GLORIA CHINEDUM AKOBUNDU,fsi
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, De-Nexus Center for Creative Leadership and Development

ENGR. SULEIMAN HUSSAINI ADAMU FNSE FAEng CON
Immediate past Minister of Water Resources, Federal Republic of Nigeria

ALFRED AGABA ABAH
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Civil Service Matters, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

DAME GEORGINA EKEOMA EHURIAH-ARISA, MON, NPOM
Public Sector Management Specialist, Lawyer

DR. JAKE EPELLE
CEO and Founder, TAF Africa

DR. ADEBOWALE ABRAHAM ADEDOKUN, 3PhD, FCIPS (Chartered, UK), CMILT, ACFE
Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)

OBIANUJU UCHENNA
Deputy Country Director for Nigeria, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

DR YETUNDE ANYANYA
Senior Manager, Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)

MODUPE BANKOLE, FITD, MCIPM
Human Capital and Organisational Development Expert

DR AKUJOBI CHINYERE IJEOMA
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Nigeria

DR GIDEON ADOGBO
Founder, Multonion

DR. ANTHONY OSAS OKUNGBOWA, ESQ., PH.D, MBA
Head of Service, Edo State

DR. ABRAHAM OLUDOLAPO AYODEJI
Assistant Director (Mobilisation), National Youth Service Corps

TUNDE SADIBO
Special Assistant, Administration and Policy Coordination to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs

CHIOMA ADAOBI NZEWI
Public Servant

FASULU MICHAEL OLATUBOSUN
Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

ADAMU BALA ISHIAKU
ICT & Digital Transformation Specialist | Knowledge Management Expert | Public Sector Technologist

DR CHRISTY ENANG
Assistant Director in Learning and Development Department, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation

Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation - Privacy & Terms

Dr. Christy Enang

Assistant Director in Learning and Development Department, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation

Dr. Christy Enang is an Assistant Director in Learning and Development Department, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.   She was born on 24^th December 1973 and hails from Assiga in Yakurr LGA of Cross River State. She had her higher education at the University of Uyo and University of Nigeria, Nsukka with a PhD in Business Education (Office Education).

Her ingenuity and wealth of experience has contributed to the implementation of the Reform process of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021 – 2023), especially in Capability Building and Talent Management.

Dr. Christy has served as member of several Committees in FCSSIP and other National Committees which among others include, National Information Technology Policy Committee (2008-2009); National Information Technology Education Framework (2009); National Policy on ICT in Education (2009-2010); National Standards for Information Technology (IT) Education (2012); National Conference on ICT in Education (2012-2013); National ICT Week (2012), War Room on Capability Building and Talent Management, among others.

She holds Professional Membership Certificates on Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN); Nigerian Computer Society (NCS); Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT); Association of Business Educators of Nigeria (ABEN) and Nigerian Vocational Association (NVA).

She has also attended professional development courses on Digital Learning Design at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, London, in 2019, e-Government sponsored by Korean Government in 2016; Design and Development of e-Learning Courses at the Centre for the Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Noida, India in 2011; International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), South Africa in 2011. Other International Conferences she attended include e-Learning Conferences in Dakar, Senegal in 2008, Cotonou, Benin Republic in 2012 and Kigali in Rwanda, 2024.

Adamu Bala Ishiaku

ICT & Digital Transformation Specialist | Knowledge Management Expert | Public Sector Technologist

Adamu Bala Ishiaku is a highly driven ICT and digital transformation professional with over a decade of progressive experience in public sector innovation, digital governance, and knowledge systems development. With a strong foundation in computer science and multiple postgraduate degrees from institutions in Nigeria and South Korea, he has successfully led and supported strategic initiatives across key ministries in Nigeria.

Currently serving as the Communications/ICT and Knowledge Management Specialist for the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Adamu spearheads digital infrastructure development, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge dissemination frameworks. His work ensures secure data practices, robust communication strategies, and cross-functional ICT support at the national level.

He previously held leadership roles including Head of the Databank Unit under procurement department at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Delivery Manager at the Central Delivery Coordination Unit in the Presidency, and ICT Advisor to the Permanent Secretaries in both Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Mines and Steel. His international exposure includes a formative role at the World e-Government Organization (WeGO) in South Korea, where he supported smart city diagnostics and global ICT linkages across Africa.

Adamu’s skill set spans ICT infrastructure management, data analysis, web systems, open procurement contracting portals, project and procurement planning, and electronic media strategy. He is also a recognized member of ICANN and the Internet Society (ISOC), and has participated in major international conferences on cybersecurity, smart geospatial systems, and agricultural technology.

Fasulu Michael Olatubosun (Bosun)

Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Nigeria

Fasulu Michael Olatubosun (Bosun) is a strategic public administrator, analyst and reform advocate currently serving as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO) in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Nigeria. He plays a central role in policy reforms, institutional efficiency, and civil service transformation initiatives across the federal public sector.

With over 19 years of experience, Bosun has served in key leadership roles within the Federal Ministry of Health, including as Head of the Coordinating Unit, Department of Public Health, and Head of Administration, Port Health Services. Earlier in his career, he contributed to national development as a Secretariat member of a Presidential Project Implementation Committee and worked with several Heads of Departments, Health Planning, Research and Statistics.

He is a Chartered Member of the Nigeria Institute of Strategic Management, a Presidential Awardee of the National Youth Service Corps (2001), and a pioneer graduate of the Leadership Enhancement Advancement Programme (LEAD-P). His academic credentials span the University of Ado-Ekiti, Ahmadu Bello University, and Hanyang University (South Korea).

Known for his deep interest in transformational leadership, self-leadership, and strategic governance, Bosun brings a reflective and forward-thinking perspective to policy conversations—grounded in both local insight and global best practices.

Chioma Adaobi Nzewi

Public Servant

Highly accomplished public servant with over 18 years of experience in planning programs, projects, and policies. Proven expertise in deliverology, monitoring, and evaluation across eight ministries in Nigeria.

Academic Background:

– Executive Masters in Business Administration: Quantic Business School of Technology, USA
– Master in International and Development Economics: Australian National University, Canberra
– Public Leadership Programme: The AIG IMOUKHEDE FOUNDATION and University of Oxford, UK
– Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Sociology, and Anthropology: University of Nigeria Nsukka

Scholarships and Awards:

– Australian Awards in Africa
– AIG IMOUKHEDE FOUNDATION and University of Oxford Scholarship
– Quantic School of Business and Technology USA Scholarship
– Outstanding Performance Award: Finished top of her class in the Leadership Enhancement Advancement Programme

Professional Achievements:

– Pioneer Governor of the Leadership Enhancement Advancement Programme
– Expertise in Deliverology: Successfully managed and evaluated projects and programs in line with Presidential Priorities
– Monitoring and Evaluation: Skilled in assessing project impact and effectiveness across multiple ministries

Passion and Advocacy:

– Women and Children Empowerment: Dedicated to promoting the welfare and development of women and children, recognizing their vital role in society.

Chioma Adaobi Nzewi is a distinguished public servant with a strong academic background and impressive professional achievements. Her passion for women and children empowerment reflects her commitment to creating positive change in her community.

Tunde Sadibo

Special Assistant, Administration and Policy Coordination to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs

TUNDE SADIBO is a graduate of Business Administration & Management from the University of Ado Ekiti, now Ekiti State University. He is a Fellow of the following Professional Bodies:

– Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management Nigeria (FCIHRM),
– Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators (FIPMA),
– African Institute of Strategic Managers (FAISM)

He is also a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP®) and a Safety Supervisor Occupational Safety and Health (OSH-UK). Tunde Sadibo is currently the Chairman of the CIHRM FCT Chapter and the National Coordinator of the IPMA-NIG Federal Staff Wing.

He started his career as an Analyst with a reputable Risk Management Consulting Firm (Capital Vanguard Associates) where he was exposed to the rudiments of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) during the Banking Sector recapitalisation and the implementation of the Basel II Banking Model in 2006.

Soon after, he had various stints in the Banking Sector and Real Estate & Mortgage Firms before joining the Federal Civil Service in 2013 as a Senior Administrative Officer.

He was deployed to the Federal Ministry of Education, Promotion Senior Branch in the Human Resource Management Department (HRM).

In the Federal Ministry of Education, he initiated the bridging of the communication gap between the Headquarters and the field offices across the Federation.

He was appointed as the Special Adviser (SA) Media, Publicity & Strategy to the Chairman of ASCSN FME Unit and in June 2022 he was awarded meritoriously as the Administrator of the Year by ASCSN FME.

He participated and was the only officer selected in the Federal Ministry of Education for the pioneer Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme (LEAD-P) a capacity building/talent management programme in the first pillar of Federal Civil Service Strategic and Implementation Plan (2021 – 2025) (FCSSIP 25) organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF)

After completing the LEAD-P training, he was deployed to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) where he was attached to the HOS Office as a member of the Technical Team to the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation., Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR.

He is presently the Special Assistant (SA) on Administration and Policy Coordination to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs.

He has attended several courses, seminars and workshops that have efficiently and effectively enhanced his capacity in his work schedule.

He is the Convener/Founder, Federal Staff Forum (FSF), a platform created to provide adequate information and support for Federal Civil Servants across the Federation.

He is happily married to Damilola and the marriage is blessed with two boys (Ozni & Neri).

Dr. Abraham Oludolapo Ayodeji

Assistant Director (Mobilisation), National Youth Service Corps

Dr. Abraham Oludolapo Ayodeji is an accomplished public servant, thought leader, an academic and advocate for institutional excellence in Nigeria’s public service landscape.

He holds a Ph.D. in Tourism Economics from the prestigious University of Ibadan. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Director (Mobilisation) with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), where he leads a strategic team in engagement with Corps Producing Institutions nationwide, playing a vital role in aligning tertiary institutions with national development goals through youth mobilisation.

He is an alumnus of two highly selective leadership programmes: the Leadership Enhancement and Advancement Programme (LEAD-P), and the Public Leaders Programme (PLP), a transformational leadership initiative sponsored by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and facilitated by the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

A passionate policy advocate, Dr. Abraham developed a policy document on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment within the NYSC, which has since been adopted across all formations of the organisation.

Known for his humility, empathy, and collaborative spirit, Dr. Abraham combines intellectual depth with a practical approach to nation-building. He is an inspiring communicator, a mentor to many, and a firm believer in servant leadership.

He is happily married with children, and in his leisure time, he enjoys reading, counselling, travelling, and engaging with people across cultures and professions.

Dr. Anthony Osas Okungbowa, ESQ., PH.D (Constitutional law), MBA Artificial Intelligence

Head of Service, Edo State, Nigeria

Dr. Anthony Osas Okungbowa, currently serves as the Head of Service of Edo State, a position he assumed on April 1, 2020. Notably, he is the youngest individual ever appointed to this esteemed office in the history of Edo and the defunct Bendel States. A native of both Oza in Orhionmwon Local Government Area and Alaka, Ogbe Quarters in Oredo Local Government Area, Dr. Okungbowa has built an illustrious career rooted in discipline, innovation, and public service transformation.

His educational journey is as distinguished as his service record. He holds a Ph.D. in Constitutional Law from the Igbinedion University, Okada, an LL.M. in Legislative Drafting from the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos, and an LL.B (Hons) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife. Called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1993, Dr. Okungbowa recently expanded his academic repertoire with an MBA from Nexford University, Washington, graduating with distinction and earning an impressive GPA of 3.92/4.0.

Academic excellence has consistently defined Dr. Okungbowa’s educational journey. He emerged first in the Common Entrance Examination at Odionza Primary School, and later graduated as the best student in History at Baptist High School, Benin City, in 1986. At the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he distinguished himself with outstanding performance as the best student in Constitutional Law and also came out top of the class in his first year. During his LL.M. program at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (University of Lagos) in 2005, he excelled again emerging as the best student in both Legislative & Judicial Practice and Advanced Administrative Law, and the second-best in Advanced Constitutional Law.

Dr. Okungbowa’s career in the Edo State Civil Service began in 1999 as a Senior Legal Officer in the Ministry of Justice. Over the years, he climbed the ranks, holding vital positions including Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and Director of Legal Drafting and Advisory Services. In these capacities, he drafted landmark legislations, such as the Edo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which have influenced legal frameworks beyond the state.

His commitment to public service led to his appointment as Permanent Secretary by the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration. He served in various capacities, including the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and as the inaugural Permanent Secretary/Chairman of the Edo State Pensions Bureau. His pioneering work in structuring the Bureau remains a template for its continued success.

As Head of Service, Dr. Okungbowa has been a catalyst for transformative change. Under his leadership, Edo State has become a benchmark in digital governance. He spearheaded the digitization of all government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) making Edo the first paperless and most technologically advanced public service in Nigeria.

Dr. Okungbowa has prioritized welfare and inclusiveness in governance. From being the highest paying minimum wage State (at a time) to instituting prompt salary payments, a 13th-month bonus, life insurance for civil servants and retirees, and automatic employment for First Class graduates from Edo State, his administration is redefining service motivation.

He has served on numerous strategic committees. As Chairman of the State Transition Committee at a time, he earned high commendation for accountability and transparency, returning over N10 million in unspent funds. He also led initiatives for the redevelopment of the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, and chairs the Public Service Transformation Team, and the Technology Team overseeing fibre optic expansion.

Dr. Okungbowa’s influence extends beyond the civil service. He is a respected figure in legal circles, having chaired and served on some Nigerian Bar Association electoral panels. He was Secretary of the Edo State Law Reform Commission for nearly a decade and has drafted more than 15 bills that underpin critical aspects of Edo State’s governance framework.

He is also a seasoned public intellectual and writer, having authored numerous articles in national dailies like ThisDay and Vanguard, addressing issues from oil theft and police reform to public service transformation. His conference engagements include lead speaker roles and panel discussant duties at legal and public administration fora, both locally and internationally.

Widely traveled, Dr. Okungbowa has attended training programs and conferences in the USA, UK, UAE, Singapore, South Africa, Geneva and France. He brings this global exposure to bear on his vision for a modern, responsive, and inclusive public service in Edo State.

For a man with a deep passion for knowledge, governance, and justice, Dr. Okungbowa remains grounded in community. He finds joy in writing, reading, football, mentoring, and meaningful human interaction. Through innovation, integrity, and unwavering dedication, he continues to build the future of Edo State’s civil service.

Engr. Gideon Adogbo, PhD, MBA

Founder, Multonion

My work sits at the intersection of technology, governance, and entrepreneurship. I build systems that solve hard problems.

I’ve spent the last few years building an intelligent and trusted B2B trade network, using AI to simplify trade across Africa. Before this, spent over a decade rethinking how public institutions work—leading the development of Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service reform strategy (FCSSIP 2025), supporting four cabinet ministers, two Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation, and working with the World Bank on public sector innovation.

I’ve led national digital transformation projects, served as SVP Global Operations and Public Policy for a U.S. tech company, and as faculty, taught and did research at the university.

My background is chemical engineering (PhD). At MIT, USA I earned an MBA and a certificate in innovation and technology, where I also became a Visiting Fellow. I received professional education at Harvard, UC Berkeley, LSE, and Imperial College. I speak globally on AI, innovation, and the future of public service.

I’m a father of three, love to mentor young people, and I believe technology should improve lives—not just optimize systems.

Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Nigeria

Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma is the pioneer Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Nigeria. Born on February 2, 1977, she holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master’s degree in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London. Additionally, she has a certificate in project and program management from the Royal Institute of Public Administration (RIPA), London.

Prior to her appointment as Permanent Secretary, Dr. Akujobi held several national positions, including Chief Veterinary Officer, where she was responsible for the certification of animals and animal products for import and export at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security, Abuja; the World Trade Organization (WTO) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Enquiry Point for Animal Health for Nigeria; the National Focal Point for Apiculture Development; the Country Representative for the African Women in Animal Resources Farming and Agribusiness Network and the Incident Manager for controlling Anthrax in Nigeria, among other roles.

As the Chief Veterinary Officer responsible for certification, Dr. Akujobi ensured that exported and imported animals and products complied with international standards, successfully preventing rejections of exported animals and products of animal origin as well as preventing the introduction of animal diseases into Nigeria’s livestock population.

She played a key role in managing the 2006 Avian Influenza outbreak in Nigeria through effective coordination of surveillance activities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. In 2018, Dr Akujobi facilitated the successful hosting of the Apiexpo Africa in Abuja, Nigeria—an event that became a gold standard reference point for Africa’s apiculture value chain players.

Dr. Akujobi has served on several Technical Committees and Expert Working Groups, including the African Experts Group on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification System, hosted by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), the National Trade Facilitation Committee (TFA), the National Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee. She represented Nigeria on the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Steering Committee on electronic certification amongst others.

Currently, Dr. Akujobi is the War Room Lead for implementing the Performance Management System, the second pillar of Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25).

Dr Akujobi is a dedicated and passionate Public Servant, driven by an unwavering commitment to serving Nigeria with integrity, diligence, and excellence. With a strong sense of patriotism, she prioritizes the nation’s interests above personal gains, ensuring that every decision contributes to the greater good. Upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and transparency, she demonstrates accountability and responsibility in all aspects of her work.

Modupe Bankole

Human Capital and Organisational Development Expert

Modupe Bankole is a human capital and organisational development expert with over 28 years of professional experience in both the private and public sectors. Renowned for her work in capacity development, change management, rewards and recognition, performance management, organisational culture, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and safeguarding protocols, Modupe provides strategic advisory services to Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), international organisations, and corporate institutions.

She holds a certificate in Public Policy Analysis from the London School of Economics and completed the Leading Change and Organisational Renewal course at Harvard Business School among others. She also earned an Executive Master’s in Human Resource Management from the University of Huddersfield, an MBA from the University of Lagos, and is a certified practitioner in Change Management (PROSCI®) and Organisational Culture (Hofstede Insight, Finland)

Modupe is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (FITD) and a full member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (MCIPM). She serves on the Board of Trustees of the University College Hospital (UCH) Health Foundation and the Lagos State Volleyball Association.

She is the Managing Consultant of Diadems Global Support Services and serves as a consultant to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on various reform initiatives. Modupe is passionate about building merit-based, inclusive institutions and equipping public service leaders to deliver with integrity, impact, and purpose.

Dr. Yetunde Anyanya

Senior Manager, Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)

Dr. Yetunde Anyanya is a transformative public servant with over 23 years of impactful experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory sector. Currently a senior manager at the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) where she has played a strategic role in shaping national workforce policies, regulatory compliance, and community development. Her career stands as a testament to disciplined leadership, intellectual versatility, and a passion for building people, systems, and communities.

A graduate of the prestigious Henley Business School, University of Reading, Dr. Anyanya holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), a qualification that reflects her advanced capacity for critical thinking, applied research, and executive decision-making. Her doctoral work bridges theory and practice, enabling her to craft people-centered policies and programs that align business goals with public interest, particularly in complex regulatory landscapes like the oil and gas sector.

She is a Chartered Member of both the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (MCIPM), Nigeria, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (MCIPD), United Kingdom, underscoring her credibility and expertise in human resources and organizational development across local and international frameworks. Her credentials further include the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, a globally recognized qualification that reinforces her commitment to risk management, worker welfare, and regulatory compliance.

Dr. Anyanya’s professional strengths span an integrated suite of competencies, including:

People Building and Talent Management: Creating environments that foster employee growth, leadership readiness, and organizational loyalty.

Strategic Workforce Planning: Aligning human capital strategies with institutional goals, policy mandates, and performance metrics.

Employee Relations and Compensation: Designing fair, motivating, and sustainable reward systems that drive productivity and compliance.

Team Building and Organizational Restructuring: Navigating change with empathy and structure to build agile, future-ready institutions.

Recruitment, Training, and Career Development: Developing pipelines of talent and cultivating leadership through capacity building and mentorship.

Occupational Health and Safety: Implementing risk-reduction protocols and wellness programs that ensure regulatory adherence and worker protection.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management: Building trust with internal and external stakeholders through effective communication, transparency, and shared value creation.

Dr. Anyanya’s approach is deeply strategic, and people driven. She thrives at the intersection of policy, practice, and people, whether supporting reform in a government agency, building trust with host communities, or mentoring the next generation of leaders. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in inclusivity, resilience, ethical governance, and sustainable development.

Obianuju Uchenna

Deputy Country Director for Nigeria, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

Obianuju Uchenna is a Senior Manager and the Deputy Country Director for Nigeria at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. She is a structured financing expert and an experienced international development consultant with over 15 years’ experience delivering impact and leading transactions in the Emerging Markets.

Obianuju began her career at Goldman Sachs as an Investment Banker on their London office’s Equity Derivatives desk. While at Goldman, she led the execution of numerous derivative transactions, including leading the restructuring of a €4bn equity derivative trade for a Middle Eastern client.

Subsequent to her time at Goldman Sachs, Obianuju worked as a Senior Consultant at Dalberg Global Development Advisors, where she consulted on numerous projects for a range of multilateral and philanthropic organisations including the World Health Organisation, the International Finance Corporation and the Omidyar Foundation.

Prior to joining the TBI team, Obianuju was the Chief ESG Officer at Avery Row, based in their Lagos office, where she spearheaded the development and implementation process of an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework for a credit-focused fund.

Obianuju holds an MA in French and Russian from the University of Oxford and a Double Master’s degree in International Development and International Affairs from Sciences Po in Paris and Columbia University in New York. She is also an avid linguist who speaks six languages, including fluent French, Russian and Spanish.

Dr. Jake Epelle

CEO and Founder, TAF Africa

Dr. Jake Epelle is the CEO and Founder of TAF Africa and a globally recognized champion for disability inclusion. With over two decades in civil society, he has designed and led European Union–funded governance programs that advance the political participation and socio-economic empowerment of women, youth, and persons with disabilities. A trusted policy adviser and commentator, Jake regularly partners with government and international bodies—hosting the Hidden Sparks podcast—to drive inclusive public-service reforms. His work combines grassroots advocacy with strategic policy design, embedding equity and accountability into national development agendas.

Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun

Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)

It is with great honour that we welcome Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun, a distinguished professional whose life and work have profoundly shaped Nigeria’s public procurement landscape. Dr. Adedokun assumed the mantle of Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) on November 14th, 2024.

Born on 15 May 1971 in Jos, Plateau State, and a native of Ogbomosho-North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Dr. Adedokun’s academic path began in Jos, where he demonstrated early promise and a commitment to lifelong learning. A multilingual communicator, fluent in English, Yoruba, and Hausa, he has leveraged this skill to bridge cultural divides and foster inclusivity throughout his career.

Academic Excellence

Dr. Adedokun stands as a paragon of academic achievement. His credentials reflect a deep commitment to education and professional development, including:

Ph.D. in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, International University, Bamenda, Cameroon

M.Sc. in Procurement, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management, University of Salford, Manchester, UK

MBA in Financial Management, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho

M.Sc. in Transport Management (Logistics), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho

MBA in Technology in Management, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi

He is also a member of the following esteemed professional associations:

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), UK

Fellow, Institute of Strategic Management Nigeria (ISMN)

Member, International Purchasing and Supply Education and Research Association (IPSERA)

Member, International Research Study on Public Procurement (IRSPP) Meeting

Fellow Member, Nigerian Institute of Training & Development (NITAD)

Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACArb)

Member, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)

Fellow Member, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)

Member, The Institute of Management Consultants (ICMC) Nigeria

Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM)

Member, Institute of Credit Administration (MICA)

Member, Institute of Chartered Administrators and Researchers of Nigeria (IAR)

Member, Procurement Professional Association (PPA)

A Trailblazer in Public Procurement

Dr. Adedokun has been a pivotal figure in the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) since its inception, following the enactment of the Public Procurement Act in 2007. Over a distinguished career spanning multiple presidential administrations, he has been a driving force behind transformative reforms that have significantly advanced the standards and effectiveness of public procurement practices in Nigeria.

His noteworthy achievements include:

Serving as the focal point officer for BPP on United Nations General Assembly on UNCITRAL Model Law for BPP

Serving as the head of all anti-corruption activities of the Bureau

Coordinating the development of a strategic plan for the Bureau

Overseeing the ICT initiatives and day-to-day management.

Facilitating over ₦650 billion in cost savings from public contracts (2007–2015)

Training more than 8,000 procurement officers across federal and state institutions

Serving as the focal point officer for the Bureau on the Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) for all Anti-Corruption Agencies.

Serving as the Member Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Prevention of Corruption.

Developing customised trainings for both the public and private agencies in public procurement

Leading other collaborative initiatives with World Bank, USAID, and the European Union, advancing Nigeria’s alignment with global procurement standards

As a former Special Assistant to several Directors-General and later the Director of Research, Training, and Strategic Planning, Dr. Adedokun has consistently championed innovation, efficiency, and accountability.

Global Recognition and Leadership

Dr. Adedokun is Nigeria’s sole representative on the International Research Study on Public Procurement (IRSPP) and has earned global accolades, including a Certificate of Special Recognition from USAID in 2009 for being “An Everyday Hero of Reform.”

A Vision for the Bureau

Now, as Director-General, Dr. Adedokun brings a bold and strategic vision to the BPP. His priorities are in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, focused on:

E-Procurement

Remote Monitoring and reporting on Implementation status via Procurement Dashboard

Community-Based Procurement/Affirmative Procurement

Procurement Policy for 774 Local Governments

Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah-Arisa

Public Sector Management Specialist, Lawyer

Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah-Arisa is a public sector management specialist and lawyer who, through excellent hard work, rose through the challenging career rung of the Federal Civil Service and attained the peak position of Permanent Secretary on merit. Her outstanding performance, diligence and commitment to excellent service delivery earned her two of Nigeria’s National Honours, a Presidential Civil Service Merit award, as well as other institutional and Ministerial awards.

She served her tenure as Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Affairs Office of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and lastly, Ministry of Interior.

Georgina retired from the Federal Civil Service on September 30th 2020, earning accolades as a thorough-bred, disciplined, highly cerebral and dependable professional. Her book On Merit, which was launched on the 17th of September, 2020 captured vividly her sojourn in the Federal Civil Service and has been described as an embodiment of hope for the upcoming leaders in the Civil Service.

Georgina is a high-ranking chieftaincy title holder, “Odu Agu Ozu I” of Uzuakoli Kingdom, her community of birth and Ochiri-Ozuo 1 of Eziama/Mgbaja Autonomous Community, her matrimonial abode. In appreciation of the impact of her public service on the State, Georgina was on 27 August 2021 conferred with the Abia State Merit Award of Ada Ugo Abia by the Government of Abia State. She is also a Knight of John Wesley, an honorific title conferred on her by the Methodist Church of Nigeria in 2022.

Georgina belongs to the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Institute of Management and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria. She is the Founder of OduAgu Foundation and is on the Board of other private and non-governmental organizations.

Georgina is an avid Conference speaker and devotes her time to mentoring and providing career coaching. She had also been actively involved in training, coaching, and building capacity across the Federal Civil Service.

She is widely travelled and loves reading, aerobic exercises, music and community service. She is happily married to Loveday Chukwuemeka Arisa, and they are blessed with children.

Alfred Agaba Abah

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Civil Service Matters, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

Alfred Agaba Abah had a distinguished civil service career, which spanned over thirty-four years of dedicated service in Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service until 5^th July 2024 when he retired. His unwavering commitment, strategic acumen, and excellence in administration have earned him recognition at the highest levels of governance.

Born on July 5, 1964, in Enugu, Enugu State, he holds a B.Sc. in Geography from the University of Benin and two master’s degrees—Health Planning & Management (2000) and Public Administration (2014)—from the University of Benin and Nasarawa State University, respectively. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

Alfred began his career as an Administrative Officer II, rising through the ranks to Director (Administration) in 2017. He has served in key ministries, including the Ministry of Niger Delta Development now called Ministry of Regional Development, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the National Sports Commission, Federal Ministry of Transportation and his last tour of duty being, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President. His leadership in planning, policy formulation, and stakeholder engagement has significantly impacted governance and institutional reforms.

His exceptional service led to his appointment as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Civil Service Matters, attached to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective September 26, 2024. In this role, he continues to drive policies aimed at strengthening the Nigerian Civil Service.

A recipient of the 2022 Presidential Merit Award for Accountability and Diligence, Alfred’s contributions have been recognized nationwide. His professional growth is complemented by extensive local and international training, as well as global exposure through official engagements in the USA, UK, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, Malaysia, UAE, and several African countries.

Beyond his career, Alfred is passionate about sports, having actively played handball from his school days. He is also a devoted family man, married to Pharmacist Florence Aladi Abah, a Deputy Director at the National Hospital, Abuja, and they are blessed with four children.

His journey stands as a testament to dedication, integrity, and impactful public service, inspiring future generations of civil servants in Nigeria.

Dr Joe Abah, OON

Vice President and Country Director, Nigeria, DAI

Dr Joe Abah is an expert in governance and institutional reforms, political economy analysis and change management. His academic and professional interests focus on how organisations can overcome daunting institutional constraints and still deliver their mandates, and how societies can shape their institutions, traditions and governance practices to achieve beneficial development outcomes for their citizens.

Between 2013 and 2017, Dr Abah was the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in the Nigerian Presidency. His work as Director-General shifted the focus on public service reform efforts in Nigeria away from only the public service and on to the public itself. This laid the foundation for improvements in citizen-facing services such as passport administration, national identity management, tax administration and drivers licensing.

Before his appointment as Director General in 2013, Dr Abah led several international development programmes for various donors, including the creation of the Abuja Enterprise Agency that has supported more than 73,000 Nigerians to start businesses, 90% of which are youth. Prior to returning to Nigeria from the United Kingdom in 2003, he was at the forefront of governance reforms in the UK, including driving public service reforms from the Prime Minister’s Office of Public Service Reforms in the UK Cabinet Office.

Even out of government, Dr Abah continues to contribute to governance improvements in Nigeria and around the world. He was on the Presidential Steering Committee on Digital Identification and contributed to the development of Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2021-2025. In 2025, Dr Abah was nominated into a Presidential committee to review the operations of the National Youth Service Corps.

Dr Abah’s expertise is in demand across the world. In November 2022, he joined the faculty of the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University to train the new government of Brazil that took office in January 2023. He was also the 2023 Keynote Speaker at the M.I.T. ‘Africa Innovate Conference’ in April 2023. In December 2023, he was appointed a Visiting Fellow of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University.

Dr Abah is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. He holds a Ph.D. in Governance and Public Policy Analysis from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and has certificates in Behavioural Science from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and in Finance for Executives from the London Business School.

In May 2023, he was awarded the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for services to public service and national development.

Dr Abah is currently Vice President/ Country Director for Nigeria for DAI, a global development company that works with a range of clients in more than 100 countries.

Mojisola-Mimi Akose Abu

Director, Organisation Design and Development
Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

Dr. Mojisola-Mimi Akose Abu is a seasoned public administrator with over 25 years of experience in Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service. She currently serves as Director Organisation Design and Development at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, where she leads reforms to align the structures and operations of over 400 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) with Nigeria’s national development goals.

An expert in establishment matters, human resource management, and policy development, Dr. Abu has led major initiatives in manpower planning, organisational restructuring, and the integration of digital systems to drive transparency and improve service delivery across government institutions.

Her career trajectory reflects a consistent pattern of increasing responsibility and impact. Before assuming her current role, she was Director, Human Resource Management at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. She also served as Sole Administrator of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria, a position that provided her with valuable insights into professional development and institutional governance. Her leadership has consistently bridged administrative efficiency with innovation.

Dr. Abu holds a PhD in Strategic Communications, an MA in English, and a PGD in Management. She is a Chartered Project Manager, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.

Her exemplary service has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2019 Presidential Civil Service Merit Award and the 2020 FMITI Extra Mile Award. Outside of work, she is a passionate advocate for community development, ethical leadership, and creative expression.

William Robinson

Head of Governance and Stability, British High Commission

Will Robinson is an experienced diplomat with over 20 years’ experience in the UK Civil Service. Since joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Will has played an active role in driving the transformative changes shaping the newly formed FCDO. Will brings strategic insights and experience in building resilient teams and fostering inclusive development. Will is openly neurodiverse (ADHD and Dyslexia) and actively campaigns to support neurodiverse colleagues reach their full potential.

Currently overseeing a major cross-government portfolio at the British High Commission in Nigeria, Will is focused on supporting the UK- Nigeria governance, conflict, migration, and organised crime partnerships. Will has held key postings in Yemen, Kenya , and Georgia, and has represented the UK in engagements with international partners such as the Sahel Alliance.

Joy Dariye

Country Director, Nigeria, Tony Blair Institute

Joy leads the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) in Nigeria. The Institute leverages the experience of its Executive Chairman, Sir Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to support political leaders in over 40 countries around the world. Her role involves establishing effective delivery structures in the Presidency for their priority initiatives including the establishment of a National Digital Farmer Registry. Additionally, she leads a team dedicated to helping a State Governor at the subnational level translate his vision into tangible benefits for the community.

Before her current role, Joy played a key part in founding and heading the Agricultural Delivery Unit in the Office of the Vice President during the previous administration. This effort resulted in the enumeration of over 6 million smallholder farmers, enabling the federal government to disburse subsidies exceeding $12 billion.

Joy has also had the privilege of collaborating with development partners such as Adam Smith International, USAID, Gates Foundation, and Dalberg. She began her career at Goldman Sachs in London and holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics (2015) and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Warwick (2010).

Cyril Nsiah

Former Clerk, Parliament, Ghana

Oluwaseun Faleye

Managing Director, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)

Oluwaseun was appointed the Managing Director of Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) on July 13, 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead a transformational reorganization of NSITF for efficient service delivery.

Oluwaseun Faleye is a legal practitioner and former Managing Partner of Fides and Fiducia, a corporate and commercial law firm in Lagos.

He was called to the Nigerian bar in 2003. He has a Masters in International Legal Practice from the University of Law, London, a Diploma in Corporate Finance from University of Liverpool and he is a member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

He has undergone extensive training in capital market, investment and corporate governance and international politics from different universities around the world including Harvard University.

Oluwaseun was the Former Principal Private Secretary to Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN and an Assistant Director in the Lagos State Civil Service until 2015.

During his time at Lagos State Government, he was an integral part of the dynamic team that delivered unprecedented service delivery in the Lagos State under the leadership of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.

Oluwaseun exposure to public service and the interrelationship between the public sector and private sector has shaped his outlook in proffering solutions to the socio-economic issues facing Nigeria and he continues to bring that rich and extensive experience to bear on public discourse.

Beatrice Jedy-Agba, OON, MNI

Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice

Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba is the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice. An astute administrator, she has a very distinguished career spanning over 33 years in the Federal Public Service.

Her public service career began at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 1992, where she served as a prosecutor and law enforcement Officer before transferring her service to the Federal Ministry of Justice in 2004. She has served as Legal Adviser to the National Boundary Commission, where she coordinated the Secretariat of the Nigerian Delegation to the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission and the Follow-Up Committee; established by the United Nations to facilitate implementation of the Judgement of the International Court of Justice on the land and maritime boundary dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon.

In October 2010, she was appointed Special Assistant to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. She was simultaneously appointed to coordinate the Prisons Reforms and Decongestion Programme of the Ministry, which led to critical reform of the programme. She was appointed Executive Secretary (later re-designated as Director-General) of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) from 2011 until 2016. She is credited for enhancing the structure and operational efficiency of the Agency and enhancing national response to the issue of human trafficking.

In recognition of her outstanding leadership and commitment in combating human trafficking, the United States Government in July 2014, recognized her as one of “2014 Trafficking in Persons Hero”. She is the first and only Nigerian public officer to be so honoured. She also received special Presidential commendation for her efforts to coordinate national response to combating human trafficking in Nigeria. Furthermore, in September, 2014, she was conferred with a National Honour in the order of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), for distinguished public service.

Since her appointment as Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in April 2022, the Ministry has witnessed unprecedented infrastructural transformation and improvement in staff welfare and service delivery.

Mrs. Jedy-Agba is an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos (Senior Executive Course 40).

Dr. Magdalene N. Ajani

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Nigeria

Dr. Magdalene N. Ajani is a senior public sector leader and Consultant Ophthalmologist with over three decades of experience in healthcare delivery, public administration, and strategic reform implementation. Born on October 26, 1967, in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, she currently serves as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior.

She began her career at the Lagos State Health Management Board and was appointed Consultant Ophthalmologist in 2001. In 2006, she joined the Federal Civil Service as the first full-time Consultant Ophthalmologist at the State House Medical Centre, where she established a comprehensive eye care unit and championed professional development for junior clinicians.

Dr. Ajani transitioned into high-level public administration in 2018, when she was appointed Permanent Secretary(SPSO) in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. She played a key role in implementing the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP), focusing on systems modernization and service delivery. She has since held leadership roles across strategic portfolios, including the Ministries of Transportation; Marine and Blue Economy (as its inaugural Permanent Secretary); Special Duties; and, currently, Interior.

Under her leadership, the Ministry of Transportation achieved full digitalization of key operations by 2023. Her policy influence extends to welfare administration, inter-ministerial coordination, and infrastructure modernization.

A strong advocate of inclusive healthcare, Dr. Ajani led the Fountain of Joy & Comfort Foundation (2012–2018), through which she facilitated free eye care services to over 20,000 underserved Nigerians.

Dr. Ajani is a Fellow of both the West African College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA), and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Her career is marked by visionary leadership, a commitment to public sector innovation, and a passion for equitable healthcare and service excellence.

Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote

Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)

Meet the visionary leader, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, a trailblazing expert with an illustrious career spanning nearly two decades. Her extraordinary proficiency transcends
multiple disciplines, boasting an impressive repertoire of expertise in Information Technology, Telecommunications, Finance, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Government and Public Utilities sectors.

Dr. Coker-Odusote’s remarkable breadth of knowledge, coupled with her exceptional leadership acumen, has earned her a distinguished reputation as a master strategist and catalyst for change.

Currently serving as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye is saddled with the responsibility of managing the operations and personnel of the commission to consistently achieve Key Performance Indicators set and ensuring the activities of the commission are in accordance with its stated mission and vision. Engr. Coker-Odusote has outlined a comprehensive 5-point agenda upon assuming office, of increasing enrollment, harmonisation and integration with other government agencies, issuance of an identity card, access to services to aid financial inclusion and increasing public and private sector use of NIN as foundational data to support their functional data. She has also prioritized staff training, enhanced staff support and welfare, ensuring access to essential work tools to optimize service delivery, upgrading and expanding facilities, and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards extortion.

Her achievements within this period include but are not limited to: the general sanitisation of the NIMC Database and clearing of backlogs, introduction of the new self-service modification platform which helped reduce the turnaround time for modification, revalidation of Front End Enrolment Partner Licenses to improve enrolment efficiency, and the Launch of various inter- governmental initiatives that give citizens access to government interventions in line with the 8 Priority Areas of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She is the ID4AFRICA Ambassador and also the Chairperson of the OSIA Advisory Committee Global South. She also currently serves as a Board member on NELFUND, whose primary objective is to provide financial support to qualified Nigerians for tuition and other fees during their studies in approved tertiary academic or vocational and skills acquisition institutions within Nigeria. She also serves as a Board Member of the Consumer Credit Facility set up by the President to accelerate access to consumer credit to 50% of working Nigerians by 2030. In addition, she serves as the Secretary, Ecosystem Steering Committee- ID4D World Bank Project charged with ensuring collaboration at the highest levels of the Federal Government, private sector and civil society in NIMC’s drive to facilitate access to services, improve service delivery and bolster Nigeria’s digital economy. She is also a Member, Cybersecurity Advisory Council, Member, Federal Civil Service Strategy Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP25) War Room on Digitalisation, Member, National Addressing Council, Member, Presidential Committee on Economic & Financial Inclusion, Member, Presidential Committee on Digital Public Infrastructure, Member, National Steering Committee on Renewed Hope National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, and also Member, Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census.

Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote is a recipient of the prestigious Honorary Doctorate Degree from the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja.

She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria and the Nigeria Computer Society.

Prof Olu Olasode, PhD, DBE, APSA, FCCA

Executive Chairman, TL First Consulting Group

Governance, productivity and efficiency adviser to the UK government and Nigeria

Economic adviser to international governments and companies

Olu Olasode is a high-profile international economist, chartered accountant, turnaround expert, governance adviser, and leadership consultant. With over 35 years experience, he has acted as a catalyst for capacity building, transformation, and leadership across Europe and Africa.

With substantive experience in governance, leadership, economic development and corporate transformation, Olu has delivered on major national and international projects and programmes across the private sector, public sector and Government. He has held several international business and government appointments and sits on the Board of international companies companies and public sector agencies.

A former regulator in the UK, he was a commissioner, special adviser, and chairman of several government organisations and public sector agencies, including the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office’s Capacity builders.

In Nigeria, he was a public sector transformation adviser and Chief Technical Adviser to the former presidential administration. He also led the transformation design work for a number of government ministries, departments, and agencies, state governments, and multinational private sector companies.

Olu is currently the executive chairman of TL First Consulting Group and provides governance, leadership, economic development, and transformation advice and capacity building to international governments and businesses.

Olu started his career with a BSc in Lagos, trained with Ernst & Young in Nottingham, and became a chartered accountant in the UK. He obtained his MSc in London, followed by two MBAs from Wales and Manchester, and a PhD from Missouri, USA. He was also a management lecturer at the Open University Business School.

Nana Oguntola

Liberal Democrat councillor, Milton Keynes City Council, United Kingdom

Nana Oguntola is a dedicated councillor, educator, and creative leader whose career spans over 25 years in film, media, and community development. As a Liberal Democrat councillor on Milton Keynes City Council, she champions inclusive policies and initiatives that uplift underrepresented voices and foster civic engagement.
Nana’s early career began with a UNICEF documentary on girls’ education in The Gambia, followed by roles in national broadcasting, research on public health and gender issues, and founding the country’s first independent production company. Her international work has included collaborations with UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank, the EU and the BBC.
In the UK, Nana founded Film Academy Milton Keynes (FAMK), an accredited training hub that has empowered more than 3,000 young people across Milton Keynes and surrounding areas with skills in filmmaking and digital storytelling. FAMK evolved from her earlier Junior Filmmakers project, which focused on providing access to creative education for youth.. mkpeople.co.uk+1Milton Keynes Citizen+1

Beyond education, Nana curates impactful community events such as the Black Excellence Awards, the Black History Month Art, Culture and Business Exhibition, and the Milton Keynes Power Breakfast Networking Event and Multicultural Excellence Awards. These platforms celebrate local talent, foster collaboration, and spotlight contributions from often-overlooked communities.

Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education, Creative and Media at Bournemouth University, Nana’s research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and filmmaking education. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to innovation, equity, and building sustainable legacies for future generations.

Didi Esther Walson-Jack

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Nigeria

Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who was appointed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation of Nigeria in August 2024 after 33 years of public service, began her career in the Civil Service as a State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Nigeria.

In a career that has seen her traverse the Public Service of two States, two arms of government, and ultimately, two tiers of government, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack stands out as the only person in Nigeria to have served a State Government in the Offices of Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Deputy Chief of Staff; Hon. Commissioner of Science and Technology, and Manpower Development; and Chief of Staff, all in the service of the people and Government of Bayelsa State. Mrs Didi Walson-Jack joined the Nigerian Federal Civil Service in 2009 and rose through the directorate ranks before being appointed a Permanent Secretary in 2017. She served as Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), the Ministries of Niger Delta Affairs, Power; Water Resources and Sanitation, Education; and the Special Duties Office in the OHCSF.

Mrs Walson-Jack holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987. Her expertise in Legislative Drafting and her certification as a Mediator, Conflict Resolution and Peace-building practitioner has been brought to bear on her work in the Civil Service.

She is a Member of Nigeria’s prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (mni). In 2023, she was awarded Nigeria’s National honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

Mrs Walson-Jack is the author of one of the best-selling books, “Roses in the Thorns”, an autobiography and a true story of resilience and the triumph of faith over adversity.

Kevin Cunnington

Former Director General, Government Digital Service (GDS), United Kingdom, and Expert Advisor, Global Government Forum

Kevin was Director General of the International Government Service and Digital Envoy for the UK from August 2019, until April 2021. Prior to that, he was the Director General of the Government Digital Service from August 2016 to July 2019. Kevin left the UK Civil Service in April 2021.

Kevin has led a variety of large scale, and global, digital transformation programmes. He spent his early career in programming and IT consultancy. More recently he was the Global Head of Online for Vodafone Group and Business Transformation Group Director General at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Kevin now advises Global Government Forum, and leads the Global Government Digital Leaders’ Study.

Innocent Fred Ejolu

Portfolio Advisor, United Nations Development Programme

EJOLU is a strategic and results-driven development advisor with over 25 years of experience spanning government, the United Nations, academia, and global development think tanks. Currently serving as Portfolio Advisor at UNDP Nigeria, he provides strategic leadership in aligning UNDP’s programming with Nigeria’s national priorities and is leading the Integrated Smart States Programme to strengthen subnational leadership in regional development, economic diversification, and long-term prosperity, peace, and resilience.

EJOLU has held senior roles across UNDP Country Offices in Nigeria and Uganda, including as Team Leader for Inclusive Growth and Innovation, Partnerships, and Institutional Effectiveness. He has driven high-impact initiatives such as the Makerere Innovation Pod under UNDP’s flagship timbuktoo Initiative for Africa – an effort currently being scaled to numerous public universities in Nigeria, the AfCFTA MSME competitiveness, and UNDP’s development policy advice, digitalization, innovation, financing, governance, inclusive growth and resilience strategies and programmes in East and West Africa.

As a Senior and later Principal Policy Advisor in Uganda’s Cabinet Office and the Office of the Prime Minister, EJOLU played a pivotal role in national policy coordination, institutional reform, and delivery of government priorities. He led the establishment of Uganda’s Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit and steered the creation of the Cabinet Office Department of Policy, embedding policy analysis and evaluation systems across government. He coordinated high-level government engagement with the private sector through the Presidential Investors Roundtable and represented the Office of the Prime Minister on the National NGO Regulatory Board. He also served as Advisor to the Governing Board of the Uganda Red Cross Society.

EJOLU has contributed to development thought leadership as a Research Fellow with ECDPM in the Netherlands and taught graduate-level courses in public policy design and analysis at Uganda Management Institute and Uganda Christian University. He holds a Master of Science in Public Policy and Human Development (specializing in Globalization, Trade, and Development) from Maastricht University, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Economics, majoring in Agricultural/Rural Economics from Makerere University.

His professional ambition is to shape and strengthen institutional capacity, innovation ecosystems and knowledge partnerships to accelerate and scale inclusive, resilient, and future-fit development across Africa.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/innocent-f-ejolu-34a47316/

Tweets by Ejolu_Innocent

Siobhan Benita

Event Moderator, Global Government Forum

Siobhan was a senior civil servant in the UK with more than 15 years’ Whitehall experience. She worked in many of major delivery departments, including Transport, Environment, Health and Local Government. She also had senior roles at the heart of government in the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, including supporting the then Cabinet Secretary, Lord O’Donnell, to lead work on civil service reform and strategy. Siobhan left to run as an independent candidate in the Mayor of London election. She subsequently joined her alma mater, Warwick University, as Chief Strategy Officer of Warwick in London and Co-Director of the Warwick Policy Lab.

Dr (Mrs) Olufolakemi Gbonjubola Olomojobi

Head of Service, Ekiti State Civil Service, Nigeria

Dr. (Mrs.) Olufolakemi Gbonjubola Olomojobi is a public health practitioner of over 20 years cognate experience, and a seasoned administrator cum public servant of about 30 years. She was born on the 20^thSeptember 1971.

Folakemi completed her elementary education at St. Peters Demonstration Primary School, Akure, Ondo State in the year 1981, and proceeded to the Federal Government College, Ido-Ani, Ondo State for her secondary school education. At the school, she performed outstandingly well. She obtained the Bachelors of Dental Surgery (B.Ch.D) degree at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in the year 1987 and joined the Ondo State Hospital Management Board in 1996 after completing the mandatory internship programme and her National Service.

As a Medical Officer, she championed several community health programs to improve hospital utilization while serving at the General Hospitals, Ifaki & Ido Ekiti between 1996 and 2000. She later proceeded to the College of Medicine, at the University of Lagos, where she bagged a Master’s degree in Public Health in the year 2001 and the University of Ado Ekiti for a Master’s degree in Business Administration in the year 2005.

Dr. Olomojobi who transferred her service from Ekiti State Hospitals Management Board to the Ministry of Health in 2001 was appointed as the Project Manager, Ekiti State Health System Development Projects II and served between the year 2004 and 2010. This project rated Ekiti State as the best performing State among the 35 participating States at the time, bringing facility drug availability from 7% in year 2004 to 78% in the year 2008. Dr. Olomojobi was equally nominated as a “Change Agent” in the year 2005 by the Department of International Development (DFID) Programme – Partnership for Transforming Health Systems (PATHS). The Change Agent program facilitated the Nigerian team study tour of the Egyptian health systems in the year 2005.

In line with her insatiable desire for knowledge and continuous improvement, in the 2017, Dr. Olomojobi completed a Master of Science Degree in Health Economics, Policy and Management from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science, in the United Kingdom.   In the course of her career, she obtained certificates on Procurement of Goods, Equipment and Consultancy Services from the Ghana Institute of Public Administration (2004), Certificate on Project and Programme Management from the Royal Institute of Public Administration, Rochester, London (2005), and Certificate on Basics of Health Economics from the World Bank Institute, Washington DC, USA (2008).

She also participated in the flagship course on Health Sector Reform and Sustainable Financing at the Harvard School of Public Health in November, 2005 and Executive course in “decentralisation tools for policymakers” at the Harvard School of public health in the year 2014.Her roles in the conception and implementation of the first Ekiti State NHIS/MDG maternal and child health programmes, and the Ulera Ekiti free health programs was of cumulative benefit to hundreds of thousands of Ekiti citizens. Her exploits at the Ministry of Education was equally marked with infrastructural support to the public schools as well as Ekiti state recording the highest girl-child literacy rate in Nigeria.

Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi has served on several boards such as: the first Governing Council of Ekiti State University College of Medicine, Governing Council of Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, and the College of Health Sciences, Ijero-Ekiti. She is a member of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and the pioneer president of Ekiti State Medical Women Association (MWAN).

On the nomination of Ekiti State Government, Dr. Olomojobi received the award of excellence in Leadership Productivity in the year 2020. She is skilled in public speaking and facilitation of small group interactions. She is a recipient of the Order of Merit award, Oloore Odua by His Royal Majesty, the Oore of Otun-Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo in 2021, as well as the National Peace Award in the year 2023. She is a community development enthusiast and this earned her the recognition and award of the “Young Lady of Patriotic Value Award” by the Otun-Ekiti Community in the year 2016 during the reign of His Royal Majesty, Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adedapo Popoola of blessed memory.

Dr. Olomojobi also has multiple published academic papers to her credit and is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management. Her marriage to her soul mate; late Professor Yinka Olomojobi, a professor of Law of blessed memory, is blessed with Godly children.

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi (KIA), CCIE

DG/CEO, NITDA, Nigeria

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi (KIA), CCIE, is a distinguished technology architect and transformational leader with 20 years of experience in digital transformation across the public and private sectors. As the DG/CEO of NITDA, Nigeria’s leading IT regulatory body, KIA is driving Nigeria towards becoming a digitally empowered nation.

Under KIA’s leadership, NITDA is implementing an AI strategy to enhance regulatory effectiveness and drive productivity, cost savings, and efficiency across Nigeria and Africa. Key initiatives include the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme, aiming for 95% digital literacy by 2030, and the Nigeria Startup Act, which has boosted Nigeria’s tech ecosystem and attracted more investment.

KIA has also led transformative programmes like the Three Million Tech Talents (3MTT) initiative, preparing Nigerian youth for global competitiveness, and established over 648 IT centres nationwide. His commitment to online safety is evident in the development of the Code of Practice (CoP) for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries.

A strong advocate for data protection, KIA’s work at NITDA led to the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and improved accountability in IT governance through the IT Project Clearance programme, saving the Nigerian government over ₦312 billion. He is also guiding NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), outlining key pillars for Nigeria’s digital future.

KIA’s leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including the African Achievers Award, the ISACA Global Inspirational Leadership Award, and the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service for Digital Innovation.

Before NITDA, KIA served as a Technology Architect at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and held roles at Galaxy Backbone Ltd. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and has completed executive education programmes at MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, and Oxford.

Dr Otive Igbuzor

Founding Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD)

Dr. Otive Igbuzor is the Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) . He was the Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate in the 9th National Assembly. He was one-time International Head of campaigns of ActionAid International and Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria. He was also an honourable Commissioner in the Police Service Commission (PSC) from 2008-2013 representing civil society. Prior to joining ActionAid, he was a Programme Co-ordinator of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), an independent research, information and training institution dedicated to policy-oriented scholarship on questions of democratic development and peace building in the West African sub-region. He also served as the Secretary of Citizens’ Forum for Constitutional Reform (CFCR), a coalition of over one hundred civil society organizations committed to a process led and participatory approach to constitutional reform in Nigeria . Previously, he was a lecturer at the Delta State University, Lagos Centre and has published many scholarly articles on democracy, gender, politics and development. He is the author several books including Perspectives on Democracy and Development, Challenges of Development in Nigeria, Overcoming Challenges of Transformation in Nigeria, National Security and Policing in Nigeria, Alternative Development Strategy for Nigeria, Nigeria: Public Administration Reforms and the Emergence of Buhari (2015), Leadership, Development and Change, Triumphant Christian Living, Called to Serve God and Humanity, Reigning as Kings and Priests and Contemporary Issues on Development and Change in Nigeria. He is the co-editor of two authoritative books on Constitution making and Constitutionalism in Nigeria: Contentious Issues in the Review of the 1999 Constitution and A Citizens’ Approach to Making a People’s Constitution in Nigeria, and two others, one on Poverty Eradication titled Poverty Eradication in Nigeria: Perspectives on a Participatory and Pro-Poor Approach and the other on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) titled Can Nigeria achieve the MDGs in 2015?. In all, he has 53 academic publications including ten books and 16 articles in local and international journals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, two master’s degrees in public administration and International Relations and a doctorate degree in Public Administration specializing in Policy Analysis. He was a founding and leading member of many human rights and mass democratic organizations in Nigeria in the 1980s and ’90s. He is a member of many professional associations including Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Institute of Strategic Management Nigeria (ISMN) and Nigerian Institute of Management. He is a fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria (ISMN). He is a past President of Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria (ISMN) and President of The Ejiro & Otive Igbuzor Foundation. He sits on the board of several organisations including Oando Foundation, Police Health Maintenance Ltd (Police HMO), Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN), Nigerian Women Trust Fund and Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realisation (POWER). In recognition of his leadership roles, he was appointed by the immediate past Secretary General of United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon in October, 2012 into the Global Network of Men Leaders to end Violence Against Women.

Mohammed Sheidu

Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Federal Republic of Nigeria

Mohammed Sheidu is the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), where he is championing a bold and transformative agenda to modernize the Nigeria Police Force through strategic investments, institutional collaboration, and sustainable development.

A product of a distinguished police family, Mr. Sheidu brings a lifelong connection to the Force and a deep understanding of its challenges. He has a track record of working closely with police leadership and stakeholders to deliver reforms that are both practical and impactful.

Under his stewardship, the NPTF has expanded its mandate beyond infrastructure and training to include the solarization of police facilities, deployment of sustainable power solutions, provision of affordable housing for officers, and development of agricultural opportunities to support police families and promote food security. These initiatives are implemented through collaboration with partner government institutions, ensuring alignment with national priorities and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

With a focus on accountability, dignity, and service, Mohammed Sheidu remains committed to building a modern, community-rooted, and operationally capable Nigeria Police Force.

Hamza Khayat

Head of the Follow-up of the banking activity service, General Treasury of the Kingdom, Morocco

Career Experience : More than 23 years’ experience in many IT services and banking department.

Have actively participated in the carrying out of the digital transformation of the General Treasury of the Kingdom and the modernization of the public administration.

Have led several projects related to the evolvement end digitalization of public services.

Graduation/ Diplomas :

Engineer in computing science (Mohammedia School of Engineers – Morocco);

Executive MBA (ISCAE – Morocco).

Dr. Francisca Odeka

Public Policy Strategist, Governance & Performance Management Expert

Dr. Francisca Odeka is a leading voice in Governance Reform, Performance Management Implementation in the Federal Public Service, and Public Sector Transformation, with over 30 years of cross-national experience spanning Nigeria and the United Kingdom. In Practice she works as a consultant with Office of the Head of Civil Service for a period of 5 years, during this period she facilitated several reforms including the institutionalization of Performance Management System. She brings a rich blend of academic excellence, public service insight, and policy leadership to national and international conversations on institutional strengthening and development.

Dr. Odeka is the Managing Director of Frandek International Consulting Limited, a Company currently involved in the Development and Deployment of an Enterprise IT Solution. This is a home grown Automated Performance Management System for Federal Public Service that is being used across Several Ministries and Agencies. In these roles, she has led the design and implementation of large-scale Strategic Plans, Change Management Frameworks, and Cloud-Based Monitoring Tools. Her frameworks are widely used to enhance Institutional Individual Staff Accountability.

Dr. Odeka Currently Supports the Office Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) in Policy Development, Implementation and other Reform Activities.

Dr. Odeka holds a Doctoral Degree in Public Policy from the University of Glasgow, Scotland and Masters in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos Nigeria.

Internationally, Dr. Odeka has contributed to public sector modernization efforts in the UK, particularly in Criminal Justice Reform and HR restructuring through her work with the Home Office, Greater Manchester Probation Service, and Cheshire Probation Trust.

Her speaking topics include:

Transforming Public Sector Performance: Tools and Strategies That Work

Institutional Change and Governance in Emerging Economies

Capacity Building and Strategic Human Resource Management

Policy Design, Evaluation, and Implementation in the Public Sector

Driving Civil Service Reform Through Technology and Innovation

Inclusive Leadership, Mentorship, and Gender Equity in Government

As Part of her Corporate Social Responsibility, Dr. Francisca Odeka is the Operational Director of Lady Helen Child Health Foundation (LHCHF).

Dr. Odeka is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Institute for Management Consultants of Nigeria (IMCN), and is an EFQM European Excellence Model Assessor. She is currently engaged in research on institutional productivity and public sector reform in Nigeria.

With a proven track record in bridging policy and practice, Dr. Francisca Odeka brings a rare depth of experience and practical insight to any convention focused on Governance, Development, and Performance Transformation.

Ayodele Olawande

Minister of State for Youth Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Comrade Ayodele Olawande is a Construction Engineer, Community Development Practitioner, Youth Advocate and Politician. He attended Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti where he studied Civil Engineering and Federal University of Technology, Akure, from where he obtained a qualification in Industrial Design. He is proceeded to the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, to study International Journalism. He also bagged a Masters degree in Project Management from the Rome Business School. A member of the Commonwealth Society of Nigeria, Olawande was recently honored and awarded a PhD (honoris causa) in Leadership and Development by Eminence University, Denver Colorado, (EUDC), USA.

At 28, Olawande commenced his career as an educator, organizing classes and instilling knowledge and values in the young people of his community. His passion grew to embrace a dynamic journey into the youth development sector, where he spearheaded efforts to harness the immense potentials of young adults, delivering results that garnered him recognition and led to his active involvement in grassroots politics, community organizing and citizen mobilization.

Career wise, Comrade Olawande has covered an impressive milestone, recording breakthroughs that surpass his 35-year-old. He worked variously as a Site Administrator/Engineer at Renz Nigeria Limited; Personal Assistant to the Special Adviser on Innovation to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Director of Project Monitoring at National Examination Council (NECO); Strategic Communications Officer at Emerging Community Africa; Operation Manager at The Way Project Nigeria Limited; and Field Officer in the Nigerian Social Investment Office (NSIO).

As a politician, he started out as a member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), serving as the ward 9 Akure South Auditor of the party from 2009 to 2011. He was a founding member of the Ondo Youth for Aketi in 2012; and co-founder of the Action Youth Movement (AYM) between 2008 and 2012. He also served as the South West Co-Coordinator of the Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation (AGF) and the Ondo State Coordinator of the All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF).

As a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olawande has undertook several national assignments for the party, some of which include: ICT Director of the party in Ondo State from 2015 to 2018; Member, APC Convention Planning Committee (2018); Member, APC Committee for several Governorship Elections in different states and other assignments related to National and State electoral process from 2015 to 2023. He also served as Deputy Director for Youth Mobilization in the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the 2023 Elections. Comrade Olawande was also the APC Youth Leader in Ondo State till 16^th of October, 2023, when he was appointed Minister of State for Youth Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. On 23^rd of October, 2024, he was reassigned and appointed the substantive Minister for Youth Development. He is also the Co-chair (State Actor Co-chair), OGP, Nigeria Open Government Partnership.

His watchword, “The People First” is a testament to his dedication and commitment to the welfare of both old and young. His commitment and competence have made it possible for him to impact the lives of many, bringing unparalleled dedication towards the actualization of any task he commits himself to.

Ogba Ukpabi

Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Environment

Ogba Ukpabi is a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Environment. He is a seasoned Administrator and Lean Six Sigma Professional with over 24 years of experience in the Civil Service. His distinguished career is marked by his commitment to innovation, excellence, and impactful service delivery. A member of the American Society for Quality and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Loan & Risk Management of Nigeria, Mr. Ukpabi has consistently demonstrated leadership and ingenuity in his professional pursuits.

He is a recipient of an Award as “Evergreen Contributor” from the State House, Abuja for his exceptional work with the SERVICOM Unit in 2018. He also received an Award from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation as the Top Performing Directorate/Managerial Staff in 2023 for his outstanding contributions. He was a prize-winner at the Federal Civil Service Innovation Challenge in 2023, where he designed the Performance Automated Tracker Application (PATA). This citizen-centric tool optimizes organizational performance, aligning operational efficiency with impactful service delivery.

Mr. Ukpabi is happily married with three children and the author of the book, “Revolutionary Impact: Unlocking the Treasures within”, challenging readers to harness their hidden potentials for impact.

Chinyere Vivian Obi-Obasi

Writer, Publisher, Master of ceremony, Comedienne, Rapporteur, Public Speaker

Chinyere Vivian Obi-Obasi is a distinguished professional with a diverse background in law, banking, and the arts. She attended Federal Government Girls’ College in Benin City, Nigeria, where she earned her O’levels. She holds a degree in English and Literature from Imo State University (now Abia State University, Okigwe). Subsequently, she obtained a Law degree from the University of Uyo and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993 after completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School.

Her legal career spanned seven years at the esteemed law firm of Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) & Co., where she engaged in both advocacy and solicitor activities. Transitioning into the banking sector, she worked with CentrePoint Bank PLC and Unity Bank, occupying various roles across departments such as Credit, Debt Recovery, Legal, and Company Secretariat.

In her notable career at Unity Bank, she served as the Abuja Regional Manager and contributed significantly to several key committees, including the Implementation Work Stream— overseeing the merger of nine banks into Unity Bank—and the Integration Committee, which managed the post-merger integration processes. Other committees she chaired or participated in include the Framework for Contingency, Logo Launch, Handbook Review, Change Management, and the Bank’s Publication team, which produced the quarterly bank magazine. Her leadership and versatility culminated in her rise to a managerial position before she voluntarily resigned to pursue her passion as a creative entrepreneur.

As an author, Chinyere has published 13 books and has received multiple awards. She was a finalist in the prestigious $100,000 NLNG Literature Competition. She is also a sought-after speaker, having presented programs on television and hosting her own platform, Conversations with Chinyere. She is renowned for mentoring individuals in building confidence and discovering their talents.

Additionally, Chinyere is a celebrated Master of Ceremonies, known for expertly managing high-profile events through her extensive knowledge of English language and law, coupled with her rich corporate and social experiences.

Her contributions extend into literary and educational initiatives. She serves as a Trustee of the Abuja Literary Society, former President of Aso Stars Toastmasters Club, past Financial Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors, and has held roles in the Unity Schools Old Students Association, including member of the Constitution Review Committee and Secretary of the Editorial Board. She has organized creative writing workshops and participated in distinguished programs such as the Farafina/Chimamanda Adichie Literary Workshop.

Chinyere has also published many books to support aspiring and established writers and is actively involved as a facilitator and trainer in leadership, cultural adaptation, change management, and confidence-building workshops.

She is a popular public speaker on topics including parenting, talent development, and social issues and a panelist at many high profile events. She has appeared as a guest on numerous radio and television programs.

Arc. Joy Osaretin Baderin FNIA PMP

Director, Infrastructure Management & Acting Director (Permanent Secretary’s Office), Special Duties Office, OHCSF

2024 Civil Service Excellence Award Winner | Architect | Public Sector Executive

Arc. Joy Osaretin Baderin is a highly respected architect and senior public service leader with over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, project management, and sustainable development. She currently serves as Director of Infrastructure Management and oversees the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office, in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

An award-winning civil servant, Arc. Baderin was honoured with the 2024 Civil Service Excellence Award for her exceptional contributions to national infrastructure policy and service delivery.

A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), she holds MSc degrees in Architecture and Sustainable Development, including from SOAS, University of London, and has completed executive programmes at the London School of Economics (LSE)on Public Policy Analysis. She is also an alumna of the prestigious AIG-Imoukhuede Public Leaders Programme.

Arc. Baderin is known for her strategic leadership, integrity, and innovation in integrating sustainability into public infrastructure. Her work continues to shape national dialogue on effective governance, inclusive urban development, and the future of public service delivery. Her commitment to excellence, innovation, and ethical leadership makes her a vital voice in conversations on public sector reform, inclusive development, and built environment resilience.

Dr. Zainab Marwa

Founder, Zawram Consulting Ltd.

Dr. Zainab Marwa, a barrister with over 20 years of post-call experience, is a service management expert, gender specialist, Harvard-trained strategist, and Oxford-trained policy analyst. She holds an LL.B., B.L., M.Sc. in Service Management, and a Ph.D. in Gender Studies.

As founder of Zawram Consulting Ltd., a boutique consulting firm, she drives governance, inclusive development, and public sector reform. In public service service, she has served as Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Community Relations. At SERVICOM, she worked at enhancing citizen engagement and service delivery.

Dr. Zainab was a member of the 2023 Presidential Transition Committee and held several strategic roles within the APC Presidential Campaign Council, she has also addressed ECOWAS on women’s inclusion.

Dr. Marwa founded Aspire Women Forum, promoting women’s resilience, financial independence, and leadership. A former House of Representatives candidate, she serves on the Advisory Council of the University of Lokoja’s Institute of Gender Studies and the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Yola.

Author of 101 Nigerian Women of Impact and The Happiness Toolkit for Women, she mentors future leaders and advocates for innovative governance policies. A mother of five, she is committed to raising emotionally grounded, socially conscious leaders.

ESV Kathleen Omamode Erhimu

Founder & Group Managing Director, Kudimata Group

Kathleen is the Founder and Group Managing Director of Kudimata Group, an innovation-driven enterprise advancing financial wellness, digital literacy, and institutional capacity across Africa. Through its proprietary FINCOM model, Kudimata has delivered integrated solutions in portfolio advisory, leadership development, and economic empowerment.

With over 30 years of banking experience, Kathleen has held senior executive roles at leading institutions such as Access Bank, Keystone Bank and Hope PS Bank, where she led strategic initiatives in portfolio management and operational transformation. She is also a seasoned facilitator, having led numerous workshops and training programs on financial wellness, inclusion,
and literacy for individuals, SMEs, private and public institutions.

She holds a Chartered Banker MBA, an MBA, and a BSc in Geography and Regional Planning, and is currently pursuing a PhD. Her executive education includes programs at Harvard, INSEAD, Wharton, Lagos Business School, Centre for Management Development (CMD), and the British NFEC. Kathleen is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Microfinance Association, and a Certified Financial Literacy Educator. Her work supports global priorities in financial inclusion, institutional strengthening, and sustainable development

Dr. Celestina Nkechi Eke, mni

Member, Institutional Reform Task Team and the Presidential Advisory Sub-Committee on Housing

Dr. Celestina Nkechi Eke, mni, a distinguished female indigene of Imo State, was born in 1969 and is currently 56 years old. She is married with two beautiful children and began her illustrious career in the Core Civil Service on July 14, 2014. She was appointed to her current position on January 1, 2022, and has, over the years, accumulated a total of 10 years and 11 months of dedicated and exemplary service to the Nigerian Civil Service.

Dr. Eke is a Member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), she holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, United Kingdom and has further enhanced her professional capacity through the attainment of multiple prestigious certifications including Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FNIQS), Fellow of the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators (FICIArb),a Registered Quantity Surveyor (RQS) and Certified Facilities Management Professional (FMP). She belongs to the Deputy Director cadre and currently serves on Grade Level 16.

Throughout her career, Dr. Eke has demonstrated remarkable professionalism, integrity, and transformational leadership that extends far beyond conventional expectations. Dr. Eke was posted to Head of Service of the Federation under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) projects as Head Technical. After helping in delivering houses to civil servants, she was deployed back to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. She is currently the Head of Quantity Surveying Division in the Department of Public Building & Housing Development, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, a position in which she continues to contribute significantly to national housing policy implementation and strategic cost management across multiple government agencies.

Her outstanding contribution to the successful implementation of comprehensive housing sector reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, where she serves as a key member of the Institutional Reform Task Team and the Presidential Advisory Sub-Committee on Housing. Through her strategic leadership in policy development and implementation, she has revolutionized cost management practices across federal housing projects, resulting in significant savings to the national treasury and improved service delivery mechanisms that have enhanced housing accessibility for millions of Nigerians.

Dr. Eke’s exceptional performance transcends her immediate responsibilities, demonstrating national-level impact through her pioneering work in developing innovative Quantity Surveying frameworks that have been adopted across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Her expertise in Public-Private Partnership models for infrastructure development, evidenced by her doctoral research and subsequent policy implementations has positioned Nigeria as a regional leader in sustainable housing development practices.

Wumi Oghoetuoma

Founder and CEO, Crown Interactive, Program Director, 1Government Cloud at Galaxy Backbone Limited

Wumi Oghoetuoma: Visionary of the 1Government Cloud Framework

Championing Sovereign Digitalisation in Africa — For Africa, By Africans

Wumi is the visionary behind the 1Government Cloud framework — a groundbreaking digital infrastructure and software as a service model that is transforming how African governments adopt sustainable digitalisation. As the founder and CEO of Crown Interactive and serving as Program Director for the 1Government Cloud at Galaxy Backbone Limited, Wumi is leading a sovereign digital revolution that empowers African nations to modernize governance using homegrown technology.

The 1Government Cloud framework is designed to break down silos across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), enabling seamless digital service delivery, data interoperability, and unified citizen engagement. Under Wumi’s leadership, this platform is becoming the backbone of digital transformation in Nigeria and a model for digital sovereignty across Africa.

Wumi’s vision is clear: to promote Sovereign Digitalisation in Africa — ensuring that digital infrastructure, data, and platforms are developed, owned, and governed by Africans. This vision is not only reshaping public sector innovation but also reinforcing national sovereignty in the digital era.

Key Ministries already experiencing transformation via the Galaxy Backbone 1Government Cloud include:

Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy

Ministry of Solid Minerals

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Through strategic partnerships, bold execution, and a deep understanding of Africa’s digital context, Wumi is charting a path for inclusive, sustainable, and locally driven digital governance.

“Digital sovereignty is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Africa must own its digital future.” – Wumi

Layefa Bozimo

Personal Assistant, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

Layefa Bozimo is a seasoned Procurement and Public Administration professional with over a decade of experience delivering value-driven results in Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service and donor-funded development projects. She currently serves as Personal Assistant to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, where she supports executive operations at the highest level of Nigeria’s Public Service structure.

Between May 2020 and August 2024, Layefa was a Procurement Specialist on the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project, a World Bank–funded initiative under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation. In this role, she was responsible for end-to-end procurement processes for major water infrastructure and irrigation projects across Nigeria. Her duties included bid preparation, market intelligence, procurement planning and contract compliance in alignment with both Nigerian procurement laws and international donor guidelines.

Layefa’s earlier career includes roles as a Procurement Officer at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and technical and administrative positions with leading private-sector contractors, including Prime Atlantic Cegelec and Gardiner & Theobald LLP in the United Kingdom. This diverse background has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of both local and international project delivery standards.

She holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Project Management from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and a Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying Consultancy from Kingston University, London. She also holds a Foundation Certification in Document Control from Robert Gordon University.

Akpezi Ogbuigwe

Legal expert and environmental campaigner

Akpezi Ogbuigwe, is a respected global voice, speaker, retired International Civil Servant and practitioner in transformational change in educational processes in Africa. Her national and international Career saw her in various leadership positions. From nurturing a young Faculty of Law as Dean for 5 years at the Rivers State University (RSU) where she was appointed Reader in Environmental Law in 1999, she eventually served as the inaugural Director of the Centre for Advancement and Linkages in 2015. Before then, she had lectured at the University of Lagos and the Nigerian Police Training College, Kaduna. Between 2002 – 2014 she served at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) where she initiated UNEPs multi-stakeholders program on Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in African Universities and the Global Universities Partnership on Environmental Sustainability. In 2010 – 2012, she was appointed a guest professor at the prestigious Tongji University, Shanghai, China. She served as a Juror for the UNESCO-Japan ESD Prize for five years. She has served in several international scientific committees and international education processes including UNDESD and ESD for 2030. Akpezi is the Team Lead & Founder of the Star Advantage Network and the Founder of Anpez Center for Environment & Development. Internationally, she serves as the Chairperson of the Earth Charter International Council, University of Peace, Costa Rica and is the Regional Adviser for Africa, UNU/RCE’s. She continues to work throughout the African continent facilitating cooperation and partnerships for sustainable development and just and equitable global futures in higher education and in the public sphere.

Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood

Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF)

Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood (Mrs.) is the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). A seasoned administrator, she oversees the career management of officers in the pool of the OHCSF and leads the implementation of three key pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP25): Capability Building and Talent Management, Performance Management System, and the Human Resource Module of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). These pillars are critical to driving transformation, enhancing workforce efficiency, and fostering a data-driven performance culture within the Federal Civil Service.

Before her appointment as Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Mahmood built a distinguished career as an agriculturist and director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with over 25 years of experience in policy formulation, program implementation, and sectoral reforms. She was the pioneer Director and Head of the Federal Department of Nutrition and Food Safety and also served as Director, Irrigation Agriculture and Crop Development, where she championed initiatives that promoted year-round farming, climate-resilient agriculture, and the integration of off-grid solar energy solutions to enhance productivity and sustainability. Her extensive experience in policy development and implementation uniquely positions her to understand the intersection of governance, technology, and service delivery.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Mahmood has played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. She contributed significantly to the National Rice Development Strategy, which catalyzed Nigeria’s rice revolution, the National Agricultural Extension Policy, the National Gender Action Plan for Agriculture, and the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP). She was also instrumental in developing Nigeria’s first Commodity Exchange manual and played a key role in the National Strategic Plan for Flood Management in Nigeria, for which she received commendation. Her ability to leverage data, technology, and stakeholder engagement to drive policy implementation underscores her capacity to contribute effectively to public sector modernization initiatives.

Prior to joining the public service, she gained valuable experience in the finance sector as an agricultural specialist, where she honed her expertise in navigating the intricate intersection of finance, technology, and agriculture. A CALA and Cochran Fellow, she is widely recognized for her strategic leadership, commitment to innovation, and forward-thinking approach to governance. Passionate about national unity, integration, and socioeconomic development, Mrs. Mahmood remains dedicated to driving public sector reforms that harness technology to improve service delivery, enhance transparency, and optimize efficiency in government operations.

Olubunmi Olufunke

Head of Service, Oyo State

BACKGROUND: Mrs. Olubunmi Olufunke Oni,mni,MCIPM,FCIPAN was born on May 31,1966, to Chief Joshua Ogunkeyede and Chief Mrs. Jolade Ogunkeyede (both of blessed memory) who hailed from Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State. She came as the firstborn of five children. A Christian by birth and married to Engr. Taiwo Alani Oni of Olowomero village in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State. The marriage is blessed with Adedotun Tobiloba Oni.

EDUCATION BACKGROUND: She had her primary School Education at the Wesley College Practising School, Elekuro, Ibadan,Oyo State from 1971 to 1977 where she had her first leaving certificate.

She attended Remo Secondary School Sagamu, Ogun State where she had her Forms 1&2 classes and later transferred to the Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, Oyo State, where she obtained the West African School Certificate in 1982 and Higher School Certificate in 1984.

She read Political Science /Education at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife thereafter she had her National Youth Service Corps at the Government Army Day School, Minna, Niger State.

She also had Masters in Political Science/ Public Administration at the University of Ibadan in 1991 and Masters in Public Administration at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife ,Osun State in 2006.

CAREER: She started her Civil Service career in June1992 and rose through ranks to become a Director in 2013. She later became the Coordinating Director of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) in 2017. She was appointed a Permanent Secretary in 2019 and posted to the Cabinet and Special Services Department in the Governor’s Office. In 2021, she was sponsored by the Oyo State Government   to attend the Policy and Strategic Course in the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. This was in addition to several local, national and International courses that she had attended.

In May 2023, she became the Oyo State Head of Service, the position she holds till date.

Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni is the Choir Matron of the Emmanuel Anglican Church, Idofin Oke Osun State as well as one of the Choir Matrons of the Christ Apostolic Church Eleta, Ibadan ,Oyo State. She belongs to several professional , social and cultural groups and contributes her quota to the society through these various groups.

Professor Kingsley Moghalu

President, Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation

Professor Kingsley Moghalu, a globally recognized leader in governance, public policy and economic transformation, is the inaugural President of the African School of Governance (ASG), a pan-African, graduate-level public policy university that aims to shape governance solutions for Africa’s needs in the 21st century.

He was previously Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Oxford Martin Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford, and earlier served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Prior, Prof. Moghalu had a 17-year career in the United Nations System, with strategic planning, legal and external affairs roles at duty stations in New York, Cambodia, Croatia, Tanzania, and Switzerland, rising to the highest career bracket of Director. He later founded Sogato Strategies, a risk and strategy advisory firm in Geneva, Switzerland and in Washington DC, as well as the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET), a public policy think tank. Kingsley Moghalu has also served as Special Envoy of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Post-Covid19 Development Finance for Africa.

Prof. Moghalu obtained a Ph.D. in International Relations at the London School of Economics, an M.A. at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, and the LL.B. degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is an executive education alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, Wharton, Columbia University Business School, Chicago Booth Business School, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Institute, and IMD. He also is the author of several books including the critically acclaimed Emerging Africa.

Kingsley Moghalu holds several honors and distinctions including the Nigerian National Honor of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) conferred by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2012, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB), the degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) Honoris Causa, and Fellow of the Academy of International Affairs of Nigeria (FAIA). He also holds the traditional title of Ifekaego of Nnewi Kingdom conferred by the Igwe of Nnewi Kingdom, Dr. K.O.N. Orizu. Prof. Moghalu is the Founder of the Isaac Moghalu Foundation, a charity established in memory of his late father Isaac Moghalu, one of Nigeria’s Foreign Service Officers in the 1960s.

Sotonye Ehimiaghe

Lawyer, Member, West Africa Association of Customer Service Professionals’ Trainers Network

Sotonye Ehimiaghe is a lawyer, certified Customer Experience Professional, and a member of the West Africa Association of Customer Service Professionals’ Trainers Network. She holds Master’s degrees in International Commercial Law (LLM) from Cardiff University, UK, and an MBA in Fashion Business from International Fashion Academy (I.F.A) Paris.

With a passion for simplifying service delivery and transforming customer interactions across both private and public sectors, she has trained over 30,000 entrepreneurs, teams, and public servants across Nigeria. Her work—delivered in collaboration with leading organizations such as Whitefield Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and Freshworks (India)—focuses on equipping professionals with practical tools for customer loyalty and service excellence.

Sotonye currently serves in the Taxpayer Services Department at Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), where she contributes to national initiatives aimed at enhancing stakeholder engagement and simplifying service processes within public institutions.

Eno Olotu

Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF)

Mrs. Eno Olotu is a seasoned public relations and communications professional with over three decades of dedicated service in the Federal Civil Service. A graduate of Communication Arts from the University of Uyo, she began her career in 1992 as an Information Officer and steadily rose through the ranks to her current position as Director, Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), a role she assumed in 2024.

Throughout her distinguished career, Mrs. Olotu has served in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the Ministries of Women Affairs, Sports, Interior, Environment, State House, Works and Housing, Agriculture, and the Ecological Project Office. Her diverse portfolio has equipped her with a broad understanding of government communications across multiple sectors.

With 32 years of progressive experience in media relations, public communication, crisis management, and government advocacy, Mrs. Olotu brings exceptional insight, professionalism, and leadership to her role. Her strategic approach to public relations has greatly enhanced the visibility, transparency, and public trust in the OHCSF. Under her leadership, the Information and Public Relations Unit has earned a solid reputation for credibility, responsiveness, and innovation in projecting the image of the Office.

Mrs. Olotu is a two-time recipient of the Best Performing Staff Award in recognition of her outstanding service—first at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in 2018, and later at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2020.

She is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Information Chapel, and a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration. Her commitment to professional excellence and her passion for public service continue to make her a leading voice in government communications.

Helen Chibakyi-Garpiya

Director, Leadership Management & Succession Planning

Started her career in 1996 with the defunct Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF) as a Public Affairs Officer, when the PTF was scrapped she was posted to Napep, and worked in the following MDAs; Police Service Commission 2003 -2009, Federal Ministry of Transport 2009 – 2010, Ministry of Interior 2010 – 2014, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 2014 – 2016, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment 2016 – 2022, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation 2022 – 2025. She is currently the Director, Leadership Management and Succession Planning in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

She went to Army Children School Bauchi for her primary education, then proceeded to Federal Government Girls College Bauchi for her secondary education, later got a National Certificate in Education (French) 1990, a B A Hons in History 1994 from the University of Maiduguri and a Post Graduate Diploma in 2009.

She has had so many trainings amongst which are;

Seminar on Construction and Management of Development Area for Nigeria,

By: Peoples’ Republic of China

July 2016

In-Plant Workshop on Project Cycle and Sustainable Change Management

By: Centre For Management Development (CMD)

Integrated Databank for National Transport Survey & Projections (NTSP)

By: Geo Trans Associates Ltd in collaboration with Foundation for Development & Environmental Initiative

Conduct of Government Business

Centre For Management Development (CMD)

Council Memoranda, Notes and Conclusions

Public Service Institute of Nigeria

New Strategic Management

By: The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria

Topo, Badagry

Re-Positioning the Public Service for Effective Service Delivery

By: The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria

Topo, Badagry

Written and Organisational Communication

By; CLEEN Foundation in collaboration with

Open Society Justice Initiative

Complaints Management Workshop

By: SERVICOM Institute Abuja

Workshop on Administrative Principle, Processes and Practices

By: The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria

Topo, Badagry

Civilian and Security Agencies Relationship: Towards a New Era of Co-Existence and Development of a Just and Equitable Society.

By: African Development Law Centre in Collaboration with

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Georgetown University, Washington, DC

Total Quality Management and Performance Improvement

By: Industrial Development Centre

Criminal Investigation

International Criminal Investigative Training Program (ICITAP)

By: United States Department of Justice

ISO 14001:2015 EMS Implementation Course

Strengthening Project Management and Leadership Capabilities for Effective Engagement in the International Development Space

By: Sydani Group

AWARDS

Head of Civil Service of the Federation

Commendation Award

Honourable Minister, Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI):

Extra Mile Award

Permanent Secretary, Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI):

Commendation Letter

Permanent Secretary, Police Service Commission:

Commendation Letter

HOBBIES

Reading, Fashion, Travelling and Mentoring.

Dr Abdul A. Mamman

Procurement and Supply Chain Management

Dr Abdul A. Mamman is a core Professional in Procurement and Supply Chain Management with over 30 years of experience out of which 27 is at Senior Management level in General Management practice and achievements in quality with standards acceptable to the World Bank and International Development Agencies (IDA).

He has provided valuable advice to professional institutions, government agencies and project management units in both public and private sector organisations for successful completion of projects in line with the World Bank Procurement guidelines, European Directives and the Public Procurement Act 2007. A well versed professional in the areas of Sustainable procurement, Logistics, Inventory Management and Control, Human Resource Development.

Dr Mamman, holds a Doctor of Science Degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, MBA (Bias in International Business), PGD in Mgt. BSC ( Econs), BSC (PSCM), Advanced Dip. in P&S, Dip. in Accounting. A member of NIM, APAN and FCIPSN.

Jack Sim

Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Jack Sim aka Mr Toilet is a globally acclaimed social entrepreneur, best known as the founder of the World Toilet Organization (WTO) and the creator of UN World Toilet Day (19 November), officially adopted by all 193 member states of the United Nations in 2013. Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the Heroes of the Environment (2008), Jack has dedicated his life to improving sanitation for the underserved through public advocacy, humor, and systemic change.

Accolades:

Ashoka Global Fellow.

Schwab Fellow of the World Economic Forum.

Honored for innovative, systems-changing social entrepreneurship starting a global movement that brought proper Sanitation to 2.5 billion people over the last 25 years.

Author of The Gumption of Mr Toilet (Penguin, 2024)

Biopic:

Meet Mr Toilet.

Honorary Doctorates:

University of Strathclyde (UK), Shobhit University (India)

Mission:

To democratize sanitation, eliminate open defecation, and empower the poor through dignity, design, and disruptive advocacy.

Princess Gloria Akobundu

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, De-Nexus Center for Creative Leadership and Development

Princess Gloria Akobundu is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of De-Nexus Center for Creative Leadership and Development. She was the former Chief Executive Officer of African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Nigeria. Former Secretary, APRM National Governing Council and former Special Adviser to Imo State Government on economic development and liaison matters. Former Chief Executive Officer of CP Golding Ltd.

She is a policy formulator, reformist and developer. very professional and innovative with over Fifteen (15) years of managerial and administrative Experience.

As a seasoned and astute leader with her vast experience and commitment to excellence, Princess Akobundu is recognized for her strategic vision and expertise in championing global, continental and regional initiative in Nigeria which includes institutional reforms.

Under her leadership in Nigeria, she championed the following:
➢ Led the reform and restructuring of NEPAD and APRM Nigeria;
➢ Led the revitalization of APRM in Nigeria;
➢ led the successful conduct of Second Country Self -Assessment (SCSAR) Nigeria Second Review Report;
➢ led the harmonization of National Development Plan (2021-2025) with the APRM National Programme of Action;
➢ Led the Launch of the second country National programme of Action (NPoA), a continental and national policy framework;
➢ Led a national survey on the implementation and impact of Agenda 2063 and sustainable Development Goals 2030 in Nigeria;
➢ led the domestication of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development programmes (CAADP) and Championed innovative strengthening of small holder farmers initiative in Nigeria;
➢ Under AFR100 initiative, princess Gloria Akobundu championed Climate Smart Agriculture and Juncao Technology in Nigeria;
➢ She led Skills Initiative for Africa in Nigeria and encourage skills development and entrepreneurship for sustainable living;
➢ Under Natural Resources and Food Security, she championed the zero hunger initiative on food security, which has made greater impact in public and private sector;
➢ She also Championed the initiative on Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA)
➢ Peace and security among others.
➢ she has written over 20 books in various fields of governance and development that aligned with the African Union’s development and governance frameworks.

A sound Managerial Executive with high sense of competence and humanity in Administration, Management, Development, Governance and Project Management, she academically bagged the following:
• B.sc Management, University of Port Harcourt
• M.sc Business Administration, National Open University,
• Masters in Art on Peace and Conflict Resolution, University of Ilorin
• Ph.D (in view) Leadership &Strategic Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna

For professionalism and standardization in maintaining strategic acumen, princess Gloria was spurred into membership of various professional bodies both national and international among which are:
• Chartered Fellow, National Institute of Security Studies of Nigeria, on Peace and Security (FSI)
• Fellow, Institute of Leadership Assessment and Development (ILAD) Nigeria;
• Chartered Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM),
• Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC),
• Fellow, Institute of Export Operations and Management (IOEM
• Member, International Christian Chamber of Commerce, (ICCC); and
• Full Member, Society for Peace and Security & Practice (SPSP)
• Fellow, occupational Health and Safety, London

With her wealth of experience, Princess Gloria Akobundu served at various capacities in both National and International level which includes:
• Member, AUDA-NEPAD Reform Committee
• Member, AUDA-NEPAD Steering Committee
• Member, APRM Steering Committee
• Member, APRM Bureau of National Secretariat
• Member, APRM COVID -19 Task force
• Chairperson, APRM Task force
• Member, AU Bureau of Credit Rating
• Secretary, National Governing Council, APRM Nigeria; among others.

Her competency and exemplary leadership have earned her numerous recognitions, both local and international.

Princess Gloria Akobundu is a community Leader, women and youth activist, devoted Christian and optimist in the Nigerian Project

Ms. Elsie Gyekyewaa Attafuah

Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah is the UNDP Resident Representative for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In this position she represents, leads and is accountable for harnessing and directing the full potential of UNDP’s capabilities and associated partnerships, in support of national development goals and strategies in Nigeria.

Prior to this, she served as UNDP Resident Representative for Uganda from 2019-2023 where she led from the front and navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola outbreak and other development challenges of national and global significance through a portfolio of innovative and transformational development initiatives such as on youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, tourism, trade and investments, climate change and resilience building, energy for social services and energy transition initiatives, gender, Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG) acceleration initiatives, development of national plans, strategies and policies as well as on digitalization, innovation and development financing, among others. She authored the publication “Leading in Times of Crisis, Uncertainties and Change: A Bold, Ambitious and Unstoppable Journey of Hope and Transformation (2019-2023) with UNDP Uganda and has been recognized at the highest level of decision-making on her achievements in Uganda.

As part of the implementation of UNDP’s Regional Officer, she chaired the UNDP Great Lakes Forum of Resident Representatives. She has held the position of acting Resident Coordinator and Designated Official for Security in Uganda on several occasions. She contributed significantly to the implementation of the United Nations reforms at country-level through the work of the United Nations Country Team and supported to the Resident Coordinator system in a substantive way.

Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah is a senior level United Nations executive and results-oriented development practitioner with over 25 years of global experience in evidence-based strategy and policy making, programme development, management and implementation, organizational and strategic management, high-level partnerships brokering, external relations and diplomacy, and development of financing mechanisms, instruments and investment platforms. She has led multicultural and multidisciplinary teams in Africa, Europe and America, engaging Governments, bilateral and multilateral organizations, civil society, private sector and research institutions at the highest levels across countries, particularly in Africa.

Her professional experience spans years of working with UNDP, the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social AUairs (UNDESA), the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Government Ministries, private sector, and civil society.

Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah holds a Masters Degree in International Affairs from the University of Ghana, a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Education from the University of Cape-Coast. She is a certified partnership broker and has attended a number of leadership and management courses during her career

Joseph Ngozi Ikpeamaeze

Director, Civil Service Transformation, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

Joseph Ikpeamaeze is an accomplished public administrator with over 20 years of experience driving reform and innovation across Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service. He currently leads transformation efforts aimed at modernizing systems and improving service delivery at the highest levels of government.

Mr. Ikpeamaeze has served in leadership roles across key ministries—including Aviation, Health, Trade and Investment, Transport, and Water Resources—where he has overseen policy implementation, capacity development, and civil service modernization initiatives. He is an alumnus of the University of Oxford’s Public Leaders Programme and holds a Master’s degree in Maritime Policy (Distinction) from the University of Greenwich, London.

Ms. Thelma Ekiyor

Chairperson & co-Founder, Proof Accelerator, SME.NG and co0Founder, She Works Here

Over 25 years of professional experience working in philanthropy and international development sectors. Expert in Gender Lens Impact Investing; Venture Philanthropy, and Social Entrepreneurship. Thelma has implemented and supervised projects in 22 countries in Africa. She has served on Boards, including as Chairperson. She currently serves on Investment Committees in Africa and Europe.

Ms. Ekiyor was listed among the 50 most influential women in Development in Africa (2020).

In 2021, the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, USA named Ms. Ekiyor as one of the Top 10 Black Women globally working in Impact Investing & Philanthropy, for her contributions to investing in African women.

In 2023, She received a Peak Performer Award in Nigeria for women’s economic empowerment.

In 2024, She was appointed as honourary (unpaid) Chairperson of the newly established Nigeria Office for Philanthropy & Impact Investing (NPO), a private-sector-led office domiciled in the Vice President’s Office.

Thelma is a resident of the United Kingdom and is currently completing a Doctorate in Entrepreneurship & Impact Investing at Cranfield University.

Immediate past Minister of Water Resources, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Engr. Suleiman Adamu is the immediate past Minister of Water Resources, Federal Republic of Nigeria. He obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in Civil Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria and Master of Science degree in Project Management from the University of Reading, UK.

As Minister of Water Resources from November 2015 to May 2023, Engr. Suleiman Adamu brought his diverse wealth of professional engineering and business experience to bear on the Nigerian Water Sector.

He is the immediate past Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Niger Basin Authority (NBA) and Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), and past Vice Chairman African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW).

He is a recipient of the National Honour, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and Fellow Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE).

He holds the traditional title Galadiman Kazaure, District Head of Roni.

Dr. Deborah O.N. Odoh

Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Government of Nigeria

Dr. Deborah O.N. Odoh currently serves as the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Nigeria. In this capacity, she oversees strategic departments critical to the transformation of Nigeria’s civil service, including Organisation Design and Development (ODD), Civil Service Transformation (CST), Leadership Management and Succession Planning (LM&SP), and Planning, Analytics and Monitoring (PAM). She also leads the coordination of the development and monitoring of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP), the flagship reform agenda for repositioning the Nigerian Public Service.

With over two decades of progressive experience in the Federal Civil Service, Dr. Odoh began her career in 2001 at the Federal Ministry of Health, where she spearheaded policy development for national programmes on HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, and Non-Communicable Diseases. Her work significantly shaped public health outcomes and institutional response frameworks.

Dr. Odoh holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, a Master’s degree in Field Epidemiology from the University of Ibadan, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Ilorin. She has also completed advanced leadership programmes at the University of Oxford (Aig-Imoukhuede Public Leaders Programme), the University of Washington, and the Haggai Leadership Institute in the United States.

A member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and the Chartered Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria, Dr. Odoh brings deep expertise in public sector reform, strategic planning, health systems policy, and institutional leadership. She is a passionate advocate for ethical governance, performance-driven service delivery, and inclusive policy development, and continues to drive capacity-building initiatives that strengthen the Nigerian civil service.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

Honourable (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior

Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is a distinguished and accomplished individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in various fields. With over 17 years of experience in project and strategic management, he has established himself as a leading authority in the public and private sectors.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Tunji-Ojo has held various prestigious positions, including CEO of Matrix IT Solutions Limited, a renowned indigenous consulting company in Nigeria, which he attained at the remarkable age of 24. His expertise spans critical sectors such as Oil and Gas, Information Technology, Agriculture, Research, Finance, Management Consultancy, and Manufacturing industries.

A highly educated individual, Dr. Tunji-Ojo holds a master’s degree in Digital Communication and Networking from London Metropolitan University. Notably, he was certified as one of the first set of Certified Ethical Hackers from Royal Britannia Training Academy in the United Kingdom before turning 24.

Before venturing into politics, he consulted for top government and international institutions including the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), World Bank, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education among others.

In August 2023, Tunji-Ojo was appointed Minister of Interior, and by mandate was saddled with the responsibility of protecting internal security and the enhancement of citizenship integrity.

Through his exceptional leadership and vision, Tunji-Ojo has transformed the country’s paramilitary agencies including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and Federal Fire Service (FFS).

Notably is the review of the standard operating procedure (SOP) of agencies under the Ministry of Interior, and the full automation of acquisition process that ushered in a new passport and visa regime where applicants could seamlessly complete their application from the comfort of their homes.

As Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), and in a strong stance against career stagnation, Tunji-Ojo in 2023 approved the promotion of 32361 personnel across agencies under the Ministry, setting a new record for the board as its all time high. As of September 2024, he has promoted a total of 53228 personnel to further demonstrate his commitment improving both staff welfare and career development.

Before his appointment as minister, Tunji-Ojo while serving as Member, House of Representative, facilitated infrastructure development, including schools, healthcare centres, and rural road networks, across Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency.

In addition, his tenure as Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), remains memorable for his active role in championing anti-corruption reforms, as well as, empowering youth through strategic appointments into leadership positions.

Tunji-Ojo’s commitment to institutional growth, human capital development, and economic progress has significantly impacted the country’s growth, and his influential role in shaping policy and legislative reforms has continued to improve the quality of services delivered to Nigerians.

Leena Koni Hoffmann-Atar PhD

Africa Programme Associate Fellow, Lead Researcher, Social Norms and Accountable Governance (SNAG), The Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House

For over fifteen years, Dr Leena Koni HOFFMANN has developed and contributed to research studies on political change and democratisation, informal institutions and drivers of corruption, security sector governance and reform, regional trade and cross-border dynamics in West Africa. She has critical experience in social network mapping; household surveys and social norms measurement; gender and social exclusion (GESI) analysis. Leena has extensive consultative experience with international institutions including the OECD, USAID, US State Department, World Bank, UN’s World Food Programme, and the UK’s FCDO and the National Research Fund of Luxembourg. She has also travelled extensively across Africa and has in-country research experience across Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal.

Leena is an associate fellow of the Africa Programme at Chatham House and lead’s the Programme’s Social Norms and Accountable Governance (SNAG) Project, which is the Programme’s largest and longest-running research project on governance and corruption. Leena is also the scientific lead for the Citizen and Security Relations in West Africa Research Programme – funded by the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor – which is studying civil society and security institutions in Chad, the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria and Senegal.

She is a Member of Transparency International’s Advisory Council and an Honorary Senior Fellow of the Global Evergreening Alliance. She hosts the OECD’s Sahel and West Africa Club’s podcast series, Women Leading Change, which spotlights transformational women business, thought and political leaders. From 2016-20, she was a technical adviser to the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel. She was also a Marie Curie research fellow at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) and an anti-corruption investigator at Nigeria’s Independent Commission for Corrupt Practices (ICPC).

Elsie Attafuah

Resident Representative of Ghana, United Nations Development Programme

Peter Kimaile

Director ICT, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE), Kenya

Otunba Bimbo Ashiru

Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Nigeria

Otunba Bimbola Ashiru was born in Ijebu-Ode to the illustrious Ashiru family. His father, late Pa Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru, was a distinguished Ijebu statesman while his mother ‘Omo’ba (Princess) Moradeun Ashiru, is from the Fidipote royal family of Ijebu Ode and the ruling house of Owu-Ijebu.

He is well read, graduating with a degree in Marketing, Purchasing & Supply, and a Masters’ Degree in Strategic Management. With this background, he entered the services of the then Chartered Bank in the year 1989. In a successful career that has spanned over three decades and taken him to various institutions, he has served in various capacities of Management (Head, Private Banking Unit; Branch Manager; Head, Institution & Professional Banking; Regional Coordinator; Country Director, Personal and Business Banking; Director, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Social investments; until his last position of Group Head, Public Sector with Stanbic IBTC Bank. He was the pioneer head of the department.

Otunba Bimbola Ashiru is a man with a desire for developing people around him, and this translated into his appointment as the representative of the Awujale of Ijebuland on the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR). He has distinguished himself in this field and represented his people favorably to the best of his ability. He was also on the Technical and Communications Committees of the 17th Nigerian Economic Summit (2011).

He is a member of The Metropolitan Club, Ikoyi Club 1938 and a member of the Ijebu Heritage Group and Ijebu Renaissance Group. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

Otunba Ashiru is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers [FCIB]; Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria; National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria [FNIMN] and Chartered
Institute of Commerce of Nigeria.

In recognition of his selfless service to society and having distinguished himself as a true son of Ijebu land and an astute banker of repute, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru was presented with the royal
title of Otunba Adeona Fusigboye of Ijebu land in December, 2006 by His Royal Majesty, The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Land, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona CFR.

He is a recipient of numerous awards, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to society and his people. These include but are not limited to: Best Commissioner of the Year 2015, Most Outstanding Commissioner, Awards forService Excellence, Ijebu Man of the Year.

He was the Honorable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ogun State, serving two terms between 2011-2018.

Under his stewardship, the business environment of the state developed beyond imagination with over 1, 279.84% increase in internally generated Revenue of the State. Over 300 factories / companies established their presence in Ogun State with a cumulative investment profile of about N691.77 Billion in 2014, compared to N377 Billion in 2013. This placed Ogun State in first position in Nigeria, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. During his time, approximately 75% of Manufacturing Foreign Direct Investment into the country between 2011 – 2016 came into Ogun State.

Also, during his tenure the World Bank Group, in its Doing Business in Nigeria 2014 Report, ranked Ogun State as one of the best five States in term of ease of doing business against the 36th position in its 2010 report. He also facilitated the creation of a One-Stop Shop Investment Center (OSSIC) which sits within the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to assist potential investors with procedures for investment and documentation processing.

Otunba Bimbola Ashiru is the Chairman of Blackcod Asset Management Group, Director Africa Private Sector Summit and Director OGC Foods and Beverages Ltd. (Lasena Water).

He is currently the Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, a conglomerate jointly owned by the six southwestern states of Nigeria. He joined the Board in May, 2020.

Otunba Bimbola Ashiru is happily married to Olukemi Ashiru, a lawyer, and they are blessed with two lovely children.

Honourable (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

Honourable (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, Government of Nigeria

Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is a distinguished and accomplished individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in various fields. With over 17 years of experience in project and strategic management, he has established himself as a leading authority in the public and private sectors.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Tunji-Ojo has held various prestigious positions, including CEO of Matrix IT Solutions Limited, a renowned indigenous consulting company in Nigeria, which he attained at the remarkable age of 24. His expertise spans critical sectors such as Oil and Gas, Information Technology, Agriculture, Research, Finance, Management Consultancy, and Manufacturing industries.

A highly educated individual, Dr. Tunji-Ojo holds a master’s degree in Digital Communication and Networking from London Metropolitan University. Notably, he was certified as one of the first set of Certified Ethical Hackers from Royal Britannia Training Academy in the United Kingdom before turning 24.

Before venturing into politics, he consulted for top government and international institutions including the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), World Bank, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education among others.

In August 2023, Tunji-Ojo was appointed Minister of Interior, and by mandate was saddled with the responsibility of protecting internal security and the enhancement of citizenship integrity.

Through his exceptional leadership and vision, Tunji-Ojo has transformed the country’s paramilitary agencies including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and Federal Fire Service (FFS).

Notably is the review of the standard operating procedure (SOP) of agencies under the Ministry of Interior, and the full automation of acquisition process that ushered in a new passport and visa regime where applicants could seamlessly complete their application from the comfort of their homes.

As Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), and in a strong stance against career stagnation, Tunji-Ojo in 2023 approved the promotion of 32361 personnel across agencies under the Ministry, setting a new record for the board as its all time high. As of September 2024, he has promoted a total of 53228 personnel to further demonstrate his commitment improving both staff welfare and career development.

Before his appointment as minister, Tunji-Ojo while serving as Member, House of Representative, facilitated infrastructure development, including schools, healthcare centres, and rural road networks, across Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency.

In addition, his tenure as Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), remains memorable for his active role in championing anti-corruption reforms, as well as, empowering youth through strategic appointments into leadership positions.

Tunji-Ojo’s commitment to institutional growth, human capital development, and economic progress has significantly impacted the country’s growth, and his influential role in shaping policy and legislative reforms has continued to improve the quality of services delivered to Nigerians.

Kachollom Shangti Daju, mni

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Kachollom Shangti Daju, mni, is a distinguished public servant whose career exemplifies excellence, dedication, and leadership in Nigeria’s public sector. Beginning her journey as an Information Officer at the then Federal Ministry of Information (now Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation), she steadily rose through the ranks, attaining the position of Director (Information) in 2019.

Her expertise in public relations and communication strategy was further demonstrated in her role as Director of Public Relations and Protocol at the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. In April 2022, she was appointed a Federal Permanent Secretary by President Muhammadu Buhari and deployed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. She now serves as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s health policies and governance.

With degrees from the University of Jos and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Daju has held key positions, including Press Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Head of the Heart of Africa Project a national image initiative and Board member of the Nigerian Film Corporation. She currently sits on the Board of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as well as National Post Graduate Medical College Of Nigeria respectively.

Her professional affiliations include the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria (ISMN), where she is a Fellow. She is also an alumna of the prestigious Senior Executive Course 43 (SEC’43) at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

In recognition of her contributions to national development, she has been honored as an Honorary Fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists.

Kachollom Shangti Daju’s career is a testament to resilience, strategic leadership, and unwavering commitment to public service, making her a role model for Nigerian women aspiring to break barriers and excel in their chosen fields.

James Folusho Kayode Abiona

CEO, JFK Abiona Consultancy Ltd

James Folusho Kayode Abiona, fondly known as JFK, is a distinguished peak performance consultant and entrepreneurship coach. As the CEO of JFK Abiona Consultancy Ltd, he empowers individuals and organizations to discover their core competence, bridging the gap between their current state and desired level of success.

Key Strengths:

Transformational speaker, writer, and resource person

Change agent with a passion for excellence, knowledge, and core values

Articulate, disciplined, and multitalented life coach

Dynamic and focused approach to personal and organizational growth

Areas of Expertise

Helping individuals and organizations achieve peak performance

Guiding prospective retirees through a smooth transition

Supporting young school leavers in creating job opportunities

Facilitating the return of Nigerians in diaspora with a seamless transition

Impact

JFK’s work is driven by a strong vision to positively influence individuals and organizations, fostering growth and transformation. His expertise and dedication have made him a trusted catalyst for change, empowering others to reach their full potential.

Clients: United Nations Senior Staff Association, Julius Berger, Transcorp Hilton, Office Of Head Of Civil Service Of The Federation, Chevron, Rivers State Government to mention a few.

Family: Happily married for 27 years and blessed with five children. They live in Abuja.

Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli

President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria
Board Member, African Human Resource Confederation

Mr. Ahmed Ladan Gobir is currently the President & Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria. Nigeria’s only regulatory body Chartered by an Act of the National Assembly to regulate the practice of Human Resource Management in Nigeria. He is a highly skilled, dedicated and licensed HR Professional and Corporate Lawyer with over 35 years hands on experience in both the public and private sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in Management and a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B). He is a Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He has worked in the public and private sector for over 35 years starting his career in the public service as a Personnel/Industrial Relations Officer in 1985 with the Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd and rising in the private sector to the position of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Crittall-Hope Nigeria Ltd in 2013 after serving for 12 years as General Manager & Company Secretary/Legal Adviser.

In 2018, he joined the Dangote Cement Plc Group which is the biggest cement group in Africa and the largest employer of labour in Nigeria outside the Government. He is currently Group General Manager/Strategic HR Business Partner for the Commercial & Anglophone Subsidiaries of Dangote Cement Plc overseeing and providing strategic human resource leadership and support to the 6 Anglophone Country Subsidiaries of:

Dangote Cement Ethiopia PLC

Dangote Cement Ghana Ltd

Dangote Cement Sierra Leone Ltd

Dangote Cement South Africa

Dangote Cement Ltd Tanzania

Dangote Cement Zambia Ltd.

In this capacity, he had also served as HR Advisor at Dangote Cement Ltd Tanzania (2019), HR Advisor at Dangote Cement Ethiopia Plc (2021) and HR Advisor at Dangote Cement Zambia Ltd (2022).

Mr. Gobir is a former Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Co-operatives and member of the State Executive Council. He had at various times served on the Boards of various companies, State and Federal Government parastatals and committees as Director and Board Member acquiring extensive corporate and boardroom experience over time. Some of these include:

Member National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC), Federal Ministry of Labour, Nigeria

Member Governing Board, National Bureau of Statistics

Member National Steering C’ttee, Open Government Partnership, Fed. Ministry of Justice, Nigeria

Vice President Manufacturers Association of Nigeria

Member Federal Government Tripartite Committee on the Review of the Minimum Wage

Jeyhun Salmanov

Deputy Chairman, State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations, Azerbaijan

Thomas Beautyman

Deputy Director, Government Digital Capability, Government Digital Service, United Kingdom

Thomas joined the Cabinet Office in 2021, in the new Central Digital and Data Office, and is responsible for transforming how Government grows capability in digital and data. This including attracting, recruiting and building digital expertise, through to developing the many leaders in government who have specialism in other domains, but increasingly need digital and data confidence to deliver. Thomas moved to the Cabinet Office from DWP Digital, having joined Government in 2019 from BT where he led workforce planning, apprenticeships and learning transformation.