If you walk alone, you don’t go far. If you walk with others, you travel further.

Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede

This profile is part of our “Philanthropists in Action” case study series, which examines a number of emerging trends across the philanthropy landscape, as the ESG agenda and creating social impact climb the priority list of Family Offices and ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) around the world.

Philanthropy is not a sprint but a marathon. It can take years, if not decades to make lasting change. In places such as the African continent, if your goal is for example, the reform of the Nigerian public sector, a program built on structure and long-term collaboration is essential.

Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede started their philanthropic journey over 30 years ago and have been involved in many grassroots and not-for-profit projects across Nigeria. But it was not until 2020 that they established the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation to consolidate, provide focus, and coordinate the family’s philanthropic activities.

The aim of the Foundation is to facilitate significant improvements and effectiveness in the Nigerian public sector by training at least 3,000 future public sector leaders over the next 30 years and supporting the reform efforts of public sector entities with funding, consulting support and capacity building. The Foundation also funds healthcare delivery programs which are implemented by its affiliates. "Only by addressing these issues," say Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, "can Nigeria and other African nations provide better services to their people and improved healthcare across their communities."

The foundation is championing the adoption of a healthcare facility program that aims to have at least one global standard primary healthcare center in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

“There is so much we could do, but we are intentionally focused on activities that will have an impact on the way the public sector is run to improve access to quality healthcare for the average Nigerian in the shortest possible timeframe.”

Bankers by profession, Aigboje and Ofovwe, who are both qualified lawyers have adopted the best practices from the private sector and applied them to their foundation to bring about change. The foundation is output focused with very specific terms on what it wants to achieve.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, interacting with a healthcare worker at a Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) activity. (PSHAN is an affiliate organization of the Foundation)

Image: Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, interacting with a healthcare worker at a Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) activity. (PSHAN is an affiliate organization of the Foundation)

“Fixing Nigeria’s problems requires marathon runners, not sprinters,” says Aigboje. “We like to focus on enduring solutions which fix things once and for all.”

“We break down our achievements into short term milestones and long-term impact goals,” adds Ofovwe. “For example, we are working to digitalize all the government ministries, departments, and agencies over the next four years. But in the short term, what are the steps needed to take us there?"

“We have just helped the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) complete standard operating procedures for all their activities; this process took about six months to complete. What we learned and achieved here is now being rolled out nationwide, across all ministries, departments, and agencies in the country.”

Collaboration and partnership

When looking to improve the effectiveness of public servants, a collaborative approach is essential. "You must get in the trenches,” says Ofovwe.

Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede an event at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, one of the Foundation’s institution partners

Image: Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede an event at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, one of the Foundation’s institution partners

“I work directly with civil servants to understand how they work and devise solutions that can be replicated across the entire public sector. We are very fortunate to have a partnership with the OHCSF that allows us to go into their offices, shadow them, talk to them, and see where we can make incremental changes that have a long-term impact.”

“If you walk alone, you don’t go far. But if you walk with others, you travel further,” adds Aigboje.

Yet there are cautionary tales that stress the need to align partners with your priorities.

Tensions can arise when philanthropic partners have short-term goals. Time is needed to ensure that philosophies and value systems are aligned.

We like to focus on enduring solutions which fix things once and for all.

Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede

“We are not walking the same path as many other philanthropists in Nigeria and the wider continent of Africa,” explains Ofovwe. “So many seek to alleviate immediate needs. There are so many people who need so much now – they don’t have enough food or funding to go to school – and that is where a lot of charitable endeavors are directed right now."

“We are thinking long-term and considering what changes need to be made that will positively impact each individual."

“We feel that we are flagbearers. When we do things, other people and organizations see the impact and want to do them too. We don’t mind… that is how we stimulate and inspire others to action.”

About Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation – Africa Initiative for Governance

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is a public-sector focused philanthropic organization founded by Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede to improve the lives of Africans through transformed public-service delivery and access to quality primary healthcare.

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation accomplishes its mission by supporting the reform initiatives of public sector entities, providing financing, consulting support and capacity building programmes and resources for the public sector workforce. The work of the Foundation is primarily executed through subsidiary entities, the Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) and the Aig-Imoukhuede Institute. In addition, the Foundation provides funding and strategic support to drive the work of affiliate organisations such as ABCHealth, the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) and others. 

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation works with government, academic institutions and other partners to improve governance and transform public sector performance possessing a firm belief that collaboration and a long-term strategy are essential drivers for continued success.