By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Federal Government has taken a major step to reform Nigeria’s public sector by joining the Leadership Excellence in Africa’s Public Service (LEAPS) programme, a continental initiative designed to build visionary and ethical leaders across Africa.
At the official launch of the programme in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Lydia Jafiya, represented by the Deputy Director of the International Development Fund, Mr. Ibrahim Abubakar Matazu, said effective leadership is key to good governance and service delivery.
According to Matazu, “The LEAPS Programme is not just another training initiative; it’s a strategic investment in the kind of leadership Nigeria and Africa need right now leaders who are bold, ethical, and equipped to solve complex challenges.”
He explained that public service remains the backbone of governance as it drives the policies that affect millions of citizens.
“The demand for visionary leadership in Nigeria has never been greater,” he said. “This programme is designed to empower our directorate-level officers with the mindset and skills needed to deliver sustainable development and inclusive governance.”
The programme, first launched in Zimbabwe in November 2024, focuses on leadership development, innovation, and strategic thinking to address critical issues such as economic diversification, youth employment, and institutional reform.
Matazu noted that the initiative aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and urged participants to engage fully and collaborate across borders to bring fresh ideas into Nigeria’s public sector.
Senior Advisor to the Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Mr. Bakary Kone, described the programme as an investment in human capacity for effective governance.
“LEAPS is about investing in people in their potential and purpose. It’s about nurturing a new class of African public servants who are driven by impact and excellence,” Kone said.
The initiative is expected to produce a new generation of leaders capable of transforming Nigeria’s public service and positioning the country as a model of effective governance in Africa.