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Nigeria: Moghalu becomes president of the African School of Governance

Online Niel October 28, 2024

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has been appointed the inaugural President of the newly established African School of Governance (ASG), which will transform the continent’s leadership landscape by catering to the diverse needs of leaders around the world. Africa.

The African School of Governance Foundation (ASGF) has announced the establishment of ASG’s graduate institution, based in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The institution is purposefully designed to provide world-class education, research and public policy engagement programs.

According to a statement issued by ASGF’s John Paul Sesonga, this initiative was unveiled in Kigali on October 21, 2024, at an event that brought together prominent African leaders.

“ASG aims to address the continent’s pressing governance challenges by equipping emerging leaders with the mindsets, skills and knowledge required for effective leadership in Africa’s future.

The initiative brings together visionaries committed to creating a sustainable governance model rooted in African realities,” the statement said.

The ASG Initiative was founded by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn (both co-founders of the ASG Foundation) in consultation with other African leaders, academics and philanthropists dedicated to improving governance on the continent.

Professor Moghalu will lead and shape ASG’s academic vision and deliver learning programs that reflect Africa’s complex governance challenges. Under the guidance of the Governing Board, he will focus on recruiting top African faculty, promoting academic excellence, and positioning ASG as a center for intellectual and policy innovation.

“The establishment of the ASG is a powerful expression of a clear vision from the founding leaders,” said Prof. Moghalu in response to his appointment. “I share this vision of a transformed Africa led by competent leadership and governance and I am honored to have been tasked to lead ASG’s critical contribution to making this vision a reality,” he added.

Professor Moghalu has held senior positions in the United Nations system for 17 years and has taught at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Oxford and The Fletcher School at Tufts University. He is also the author of several books.

Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC and Chair of the ASG Board, says: “We are delighted to welcome Kingsley Moghalu as Chair of the African School of Governance. His excellent leadership experience in international and national policy-making institutions and academia and his thinking. Leadership influence will help make ASG a transformative graduate school and develop a new generation of purpose-driven leaders with the skills and mindsets to help Africa address the challenges of the 21st century.”

The Mastercard Foundation supports ASG as part of the Young Africa Works strategy, which aims to enable 30 million young Africans, 70% of whom are women, to have access to dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030.

ASG will be led by esteemed independent board members, chaired by Makhtar Diop, Director General of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and former Minister of Finance and Economy of Senegal. The board also included Donald Kaberuka, former president of the African Development Bank; Hajer Gueldich, professor at the University of Carthage; Kishore Mahbubani, former Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board.

Speaking about the launch, Hailemariam Desalegn commented: “It is time for an institution based on the needs and aspirations of Africa. The African School of Governance will be a hub for educating purpose-driven leaders equipped to address the continent’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. combining Africa’s uniqueness with international best practices. This is not just an educational institution, but a movement towards sustainable African leadership.

“Addressing Africa’s Development and Governance Challenges Africa’s rapid economic growth, growing global influence and evolving governance structures present unprecedented opportunities and challenges. From post-pandemic recovery to climate adaptation, the continent’s policymakers face complex and urgent issues that require skilled leadership.”

ASG aims to address this critical need by developing current and future leaders who can address these challenges through a change in leadership, governance and sustainable development mindsets to drive significant long-term change on the continent, the statement added.

ASG will offer a comprehensive suite of academic programs to address governance, leadership and policy deficits in Africa. These include the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) programs, which are tailored to mid-career professionals and senior executives. ASG will also offer specialized executive courses to enhance specific leadership skills for professionals.

In addition, the Young Leaders Program (YLP) and Senior Leadership Fellowship (SLF) will target high-potential students and seasoned professionals nearing the end of their careers, ensuring ASG supports leadership development at every stage, the statement added.

The ASG curriculum will be distinguished by the integration of African historical, political and socio-economic contexts. By training students in African realities, the institution will equip diverse leaders to navigate the continent’s complex governance challenges while drawing on global best practices.

In addition to its educational offerings, ASG will play a critical role in advancing governance through its dedicated research centers. These include the Center for Indigenous Innovations in Policy and Governance, the Center for African History and Leadership, the Center for Trade and Regional Integration, and the Center for Technology and Efficient Delivery.

These research centers will generate evidence-based solutions tailored to African governance challenges, helping policymakers design and implement effective policies and strategies.

ASG’s commitment to policy engagement is equally strong. It plans to actively engage with governments, civil society and private sector stakeholders through policy labs, incubators and collaborative partnerships. ASG will translate its research into actionable policy solutions that promote good governance and sustainable development across the continent.