We are delighted to announce that Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria Funke Adepoju will be the new Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) Visiting Fellow of Practice for 2025-2026 at the Blavatnik School of Government.
A seasoned public servant with over 30 years of experience in education, public administration, and institutional reform, Funke has held senior leadership roles in the Lagos State Public Service, where she provided strategic direction for regulatory governance, strengthened institutional capacity, and mobilised international partnerships. Her leadership introduced policy innovations and high-profile sectoral convening that raised Nigeria’s visibility in global development dialogues and attracted significant external investment to improve public services.
The AIG Fellowship is an opportunity for outstanding public servants who have made significant contributions to the development of the public sector to study, reflect and engage with students and scholars at the Blavatnik School, further developing their understanding of specific policy issues and solutions, and to reflect on practices in other countries.
Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, said:
“I am delighted that our partnership with the AIG Foundation continues to strengthen, as we share a common goal to inspire good governance and excellence in public leadership. Our students will benefit enormously from Funke’s experience and leadership.”
Previous AIG Visiting Fellows of Practice have included Professor Attahiru Jega, Chief Justice Georgina Wood, and Mrs Ifueko Omoigui Okauru.
As part of the School’s partnership, AIG also provides scholarships for exceptional West African students to study for a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the Blavatnik School, and runs an AIG Public Leaders Programme in Nigeria, which offers high-potential men and women working in the Nigerian public service a unique opportunity to transform their leadership skills and improve public service in their country.
